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Russia Accuses, Norway Defends: The Oslo Carrier 3 Rescue Dispute

Maggie Johnson

By Maggie Johnson

December 30, 2024


Image Credit: “Ship URSA MAJOR (General Cargo) Registered in Russia—Vessel Details,” available at Yahoo Images (12/30/2024).

A Norwegian shipping company has refuted accusations made by Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, that it failed to assist sailors aboard a sinking Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea.

On Friday, Medvedev made a grave accusation against the Norwegian-flagged Oslo Carrier 3. He alleged that the vessel had callously ignored the distress call from the Russian cargo vessel Ursa Major, which is associated with the Russian Defence Ministry's construction operations. The Ursa Major reportedly encountered difficulties on Monday and sank between Spain and Algeria. Fourteen of the ship's 16 crew members were forced to evacuate to a lifeboat after three explosions severely damaged the vessel, which its owner, Oboronlogistika, described as an "act of terrorism" in a statement to state news agency RIA.

Spain's Maritime Rescue Service confirmed it had received a distress call on Monday and deployed two vessels and a helicopter to assist. Medvedev accused the Oslo Carrier 3 of refusing to help despite the rescue operation. Writing on Telegram, he stated, "A Norwegian-flagged vessel, Oslo Carrier 3, refused to take aboard distressed Russian sailors from Ursa Major as it was sinking. What more is there to explain? That cannot be forgiven!"

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov echoed Medvedev's sentiment, labeling the alleged inaction a violation of maritime laws and "an outrageous case deserving total condemnation."

However, Bulkship Management AS, the Oslo-based operator of the Oslo Carrier 3, vehemently refuted these claims. In a statement, the company said, “The MRCC [Spain's Maritime Rescue Coordinating Center] ordered the Master not to take crew from the vessel in distress on board as their rescue boat was on the way. In the meantime, the lifeboat was secured alongside our vessel until the rescue boat arrived. The weather was good, none of the crew in the lifeboat were injured, and there was no imminent danger to them.”

The company also shared compelling photographs of the lifeboat alongside the Oslo Carrier 3 in calm waters and a Spanish rescue vessel towing it away, providing visual evidence to support their version of events.

Medvedev linked the incident to what he described as broader anti-Russian actions from Europe, warning of potential retaliatory measures. Meanwhile, Finnish authorities are investigating a separate incident involving a Russian ship suspected of damaging an undersea power cable and internet lines in the Baltic Sea, which they have called "grave sabotage." This incident, which occurred [insert date], has further strained relations between Russia and Europe.

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