Eight Crew Members Missing After Fire on Tanker in Romania’s Black Sea Waters

BUCHAREST, October 15: Romanian authorities have launched a search-and-rescue operation after a fire broke out aboard a chemical tanker in the Black Sea, leaving eight crew members missing, according to the Romanian Naval Authority.

The vessel, Wine Trader, sails under the flag of San Marino and was travelling from Tunisia to Romania when the fire was reported on Thursday morning. Four of the 12 people aboard were reported safe, while the remaining eight were missing, officials said. A rescue operation involving a vessel and a helicopter was launched.

The fire occurred approximately 13 nautical miles southeast of Sulina, a Romanian port town near the mouth of the Danube River. The area is an important maritime corridor connecting river transport routes with the Black Sea.

Cause of the fire remains unclear

Romanian authorities have not confirmed what caused the fire aboard the Wine Trader. The incident occurred amid heightened concerns over maritime security following a series of attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea region.

Romania’s Ministry of National Defence reported monitoring aerial targets near Ukraine’s Snake Island overnight. A drone also briefly entered Romanian airspace southeast of Sulina before disappearing from radar, according to officials.

However, Romanian authorities have not established a direct connection between the drone activity and the tanker fire. The cause remains under investigation, and the incident should not be described as a confirmed drone attack.

Another tanker also catches fire

A second vessel, the Comoros-flagged chemical and oil tanker Yara J, also caught fire in Romanian territorial waters during the same period. Its crew were reported safe after they managed to extinguish the fire.

Romanian officials initially said it was unclear whether the vessel had been attacked. Defence Minister Radu Miruță said an investigation was underway into whether the tanker had been struck by a drone.

The incidents involving the two tankers have intensified concerns about the safety of commercial shipping close to Romania’s coastline, although investigators have not confirmed a common cause.

Black Sea shipping faces growing risks

The latest fires come after several commercial vessels near Romania and neighbouring Bulgaria were reportedly hit in suspected drone attacks over the preceding days. Those incidents have raised concerns about the spread of the Russia-Ukraine war’s maritime risks towards NATO member states.

The Black Sea is a major route for the movement of grain, oil and other commodities. Disruption to commercial shipping can affect transport costs, insurance premiums and supply chains, particularly because Ukraine relies on Black Sea and Danube routes to export goods.

Romania shares a long border with Ukraine and has repeatedly reported drone-related airspace incidents since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

Rescue operation continues

The immediate priority for Romanian authorities is to locate the eight missing crew members and establish the circumstances surrounding the fire.

The nationality of the missing sailors, the extent of damage to the Wine Trader and the definitive cause of the incident had not been confirmed in the reports reviewed.

Investigators are expected to examine the vessel’s condition and available evidence to determine whether the fire was accidental or linked to an external event.

Editorial note: The reported figures are based on information attributed to Romanian authorities and published news agencies. The cause of the fire and any connection to drone activity remain unconfirmed.