Kazakhstan warns attacks on tankers could disrupt oil exports

Repeated drone strikes targeting tankers near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s (CPC) marine terminal could disrupt Kazakhstan’s oil export plans and force adjustments to production strategies, the Kazakhstan Association of Oil, Gas and Energy Sector Organisations (Kazenergy) has warned.

The industry group said recent incidents involving the tankers Nordic Zenith, ASIA, NISSOS IOS and NELSA had created a new security risk for one of Kazakhstan’s key oil export routes, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media. 

Kazenergy called for greater international coordination to protect civilian shipping and cross-border energy infrastructure, warning that prolonged disruptions could increase insurance and freight costs while leading to stricter requirements from shipowners.

“Repeated or prolonged restrictions could result in adjustments to export and production plans,” the association said.

The group acknowledged that the rapid resumption of operations demonstrated the CPC’s operational resilience but stressed that recurring attacks required a comprehensive security approach covering the entire supply chain — from pipelines and terminals to tanker transport.

The CPC route is a critical channel for Kazakhstan’s crude exports, carrying oil from major fields to the Black Sea port terminal for shipment to global markets.

A series of drone attacks on vessels near the CPC marine terminal has raised concerns over the security of regional energy infrastructure and the potential impact on Kazakhstan’s oil deliveries.

By Aghakazim Guliyev