Turkish shipowner withdraws from Russian market after explosion incident off Senegal coast
3.12.2025 - 09:33
The company said that security risks to its fleet have increased sharply after the incident with explosions off the coast of Senegal.
Therefore, Besiktas Shipping is completely suspending cooperation with Russian clients and flights related to Russia, Reuters reports.
Turkish Besiktas Shipping, owner of the tanker Mersin, which was damaged off the coast of Senegal last week by four external explosions, announced the immediate cessation of all shipping operations related to Russian interests. The vessel was at anchor near Dakar on November 27 when explosions caused seawater to enter the engine room. The causes of the incident have not yet been established.
In a statement, the company noted that it was suspending all Russian flights with immediate effect.
“As the safety of our personnel and assets is our highest priority, we are suspending all such operations,” the company stressed.
Istanbul-based Besiktas Shipping is one of the largest tanker fleet owners in Turkey, with 29 vessels on its balance sheet.
