ALTURA Attack on Crude Oil Tanker (2026)

The ALTURA crude oil tanker attack, occurred when the machine room of the Sierra Leone-flagged and Turkish-operated crude oil tanker ALTURA, en route in the Sea of Marmara near the Bosporus Strait, was targeted resulting in an external explosion.

Course of the Attack

On 26 March 2026, the crude oil tanker ALTURA, carrying approximately 140,000 tons of crude oil loaded in Novorossiysk Russia, was attacked while sailing in the Sea of Marmara.

The attack took place approximately 14 nautical miles from the Bosporus Strait. In the vessel’s emergency radio call, the captain reported that the ship may have been targeted by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV).

According to official statements, the attack resulted in an external explosion in the engine room of the vessel. The explosion is assessed to have been specifically intended to disable the ship.

Damage and Technical Findings

Following the attack, damage was reported in the engine room and upper deck of the vessel, and the tanker was found to be taking on water.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu stated that the explosion was caused by external interference and that the attack may have been carried out by an unmanned underwater vehicle.

Crew and Casualties

It was confirmed that the entire crew of 27 persons on board were Turkish and that there were no casualties or injuries as a result of the incident.

Search and Rescue and Response Operations

Following the attack, a rescue response was launched after the vessel issued a distress call. The General Directorate of Coast Guard deployed the vessels “Rescue-11”, “Rescue-12” and the fast patrol boat “CGD-5” to the incident site. Additional support was also provided by commercial vessels in the vicinity.

Official Statements

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Öncü Keçeli stated regarding the attack: “We are deeply concerned by the attack on the Sierra Leone-flagged and Turkish-operated crude oil tanker ALTURA in the Sea of Marmara.”

The statement further emphasized that the attack occurred within Türkiye’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Sea of Marmara, that such actions are in violation of international law and pose a risk to navigation and environmental security.