The Panamanian-flagged tanker M/T Mersin suffered four external explosions while anchored off Dakar, Senegal, on November 27, marking the latest in a series of incidents in which tankers have been struck in international waters within just days of each other.
The management company Besiktas Shipping confirmed that the explosions occurred around 23:45 UTC, causing water ingress into the engine room.
The company stated the situation was brought under control and emphasized that all crew members are safe, with no reports of injuries, loss of life, or marine pollution.
“The vessel remains safe and stable and does not pose a risk to the safety of navigation and the environment,” Besiktas Shipping said in a statement, adding that the company is in full cooperation with the vessel’s insurers and the competent Senegalese authorities to manage the incident and support ongoing investigations.
The M/T Mersin was carrying approximately 30,000 tons of fuel oil when the incident occurred. Senegalese authorities immediately activated emergency teams, coordinating efforts of the Senegalese Navy, the National Maritime Affairs Service, and the Port Authority of Dakar.
The Port Authority of Dakar outlined priority actions, including assessing containment measures to stabilize the vessel, studying procedures for the safe offloading of the fuel cargo, and deploying an anti-pollution boom around the tanker as a precautionary measure. The French Navy also dispatched a vessel to support operations and assess the situation.
Images circulating online showed the stern of the vessel partially submerged. All crew members were safely rescued following the incident.
The timing of the incident has drawn attention, given its similarity to two other separate attacks thousands of miles away, specifically the attacks on the two tankers in the Black Sea.
The vessels Kairos and Virat were struck by Ukrainian naval drones on November 27-28 while in the Black Sea with a likely destination of Russian ports. No official link between these incidents has been made yet.
According to shipping data company Kpler, the M/T Mersin has a history of transporting Russian oil.
The cause of the explosions remains under investigation by technical and forensic teams collaborating with Senegalese authorities and insurance companies.
The Panamanian-flagged and Turkish-owned oil tanker, M/T MERSIN, alleged to be affiliated with the Russian Shadow Fleet, is currently sinking off the coast of Dakar, Senegal in Western Africa, after reportedly coming under attack overnight by several uncrewed surface vessels, in… /t3dOVn1fSA
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) November 30, 2025
