Explosion damages oil tanker anchored near Iraqi port

An oil tanker flying the Bahamas flag was likely damaged by an explosion while anchored near Iraq’s Khor al-Zubair Port, according to a statement from Sonangol Marine Services, the US-based company representing the vessel’s owner.

The incident involved the Sonangol Namibe oil tanker, whose hull appears to have been affected by the blast, as per Reuters.

According to the company, the explosion occurred at 01:20 local time on March 5, when an unidentified small vessel approached the tanker while it was at anchor near the Iraqi port.

“A small boat approached the port side of the tanker, and shortly afterwards a loud explosion was heard,” Sonangol Marine Services said in a statement.

The crew later reported a leak in the port ballast tank, indicating that the vessel’s hull had likely sustained damage. Despite this, the company said the tanker remains stable and safely afloat.

Sonangol Marine Services also noted that the tanker was not carrying cargo at the time of the incident, and no environmental pollution has been reported.

By Tamilla Hasanova