Greek Oil Tanker Damaged in Black Sea

A Greek-flagged oil tanker, the Brazil — Maranhão, chartered by Chevron Corporation, was damaged in a suspected drone attack in the Black Sea while approaching the Russian port of Russia — Novorossiysk. The attack caused material damage but no harm to the 24 crew members or the vessel's seaworthiness. Greek Maritime Affairs Minister Vasilis Kikilias condemned the incident, stating that Greece would lodge a strong complaint and identified Ukraine as potentially responsible for frequent attacks in the Black Sea. Kikilias suggested a link between the attack and a U.S. decision to ease sanctions on Russian oil shipments due to volatility from the Iran war. The broader context includes dozens of Greek-flagged vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the Iran war and rising global energy prices exacerbated by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.