A southbound crude oil carrier, which is blacklisted because of its trade association with Russia, has reportedly run aground in the Suez Canal, bringing northbound vessels to a standstill.
According to Trade Winds, the 150 600-dwt Komander suffered engine failure at about 12:30 Central Africa Time on October 28.
It was the last in a convoy of 19 vessels and caused no traffic disruption to southbound vessels.
Marine Traffic has located the Aframax tanker’s position as about halfway between Port Said and Great Bitter Lake in the region of Qantara East.
Twenty vessels in a northbound convoy have been brought to a halt while the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) tries to refloat the Komander.
The tanker’s hull is believed to be in sound condition, despite getting stuck, and no environmental risk has been reported.
The Komander is on a US-UK-EU list of ‘dark fleet’ vessels for contravening a G7 agreement limiting crude oil trade for vessels linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
