By Maggie Johnson
January 29, 2025
Image: Yahoo
Two oil tankers carrying Russian crude abruptly changed course off the coast of France and are now stationary near the northern port of Cherbourg. These unusual movements, however, do not appear to be linked to the recent U.S. sanctions on Russian oil exports. On January 10, the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control did not include either vessel in its designation.
The Unity, capable of transporting approximately 730,000 barrels of crude, has moored due to a minor mechanical problem, according to a spokesperson for the maritime prefecture of Manche et Mer du Nord. Tracking data shows that both the Unity and another vessel, the Alfred, turned back after passing the Bay of Biscay.
The Unity had been en route to India but is now anchored in a designated shelter area due to recent severe weather conditions, the spokesperson added. Meanwhile, the Alfred, originally bound for Turkey, also remains halted.
According to the Equasis maritime database, the Unity is operated by Moscow-based Argo Tanker Group, which stated on Friday that it was unaware of any issues with the vessel. The Alfred is listed under Greece-based Capital Maritime Corp., which has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Western Europe has been battered by severe storms in recent days. Storm Éowyn brought record-breaking gusts of 183 kilometers per hour (114 mph) in Galway, Ireland, while Storm Herminia caused some of the worst flooding in decades in northwestern France. The UK's Met Office reported that wave heights in the Bay of Biscay ranged from six to 14 meters (20 to 46 feet) on Monday, classifying sea conditions as "high" or "very high."
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