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Drone-damaged tanker towed through Bosphorus to Yalova
On July 2, 2026, the 'Riker', ex 'James 2', which was targeted by a drone attack off the coast of Sinop in the Black Sea on May 27, passed through the Bosphorus Strait under tow. The tanker, now under Sierra Leone flag, had been struck by Ukraininian surface drones 80 kilometres from the entrance of the strait, suffering damage to engine room and steering compartment and as a consequence a total loss of propulsion. Since May, temporary repairs have been carried out to ensure a safe passage. In the first week of May the IACS classification had been withdrawn start of May, so it's classification status was unclear. Ahead of this, the shadow tanker was sanctioned by the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and Ukraine. In mid-June, the ship was transferred to a shell company on the Marshall Islands. It is one of four sister ships which all are counted to the Russian shadow fleet. Six tugs of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure’s General Directorate of Coastal Safety, the 'Kurtarma 3' (IMO: 9335939) , 'Kurtarma 4' (IMO: 9335941) , 'Kurtarma 5' (IMO: 9463164), 'Kurtarma 6' (IMO: 9463176), Kurtarma 9' (IMO: 9598581) and 'Kurtarma 11' (IMO: 9854399) pulled the ship through the strait within two hours. The drone attack had occurred in the Black Sea on May 28, 2026. Vessel traffic through the Strait was suspended in both directions during the passage for safety reasons. Extensive security measures were implemented in the area during the transit of the vessel. As part of the escort operation, which involved high-alert measures against potential risks, the Bosphorus Strait was closed to transit vessel traffic in both directions for approximately two hours. The operation was completed without any incidents. Marine traffic in the Bosphorus Strait returned to normal after the tanker entered the Sea of Marmara. The tanker berthed at the Yalova Shipyard on July 9, where it remained stationary as of Sep 28. Reports with photos: https://denizgundem.com/karadenizde-saldiriya-ugrayan-james-2-tankeri-istanbul-bogazindan-gecis-yapti/ https://www.seanews.com.tr/article/ship-attacked-by-drone-passes-through-istanbul-strait-mr62oapu
Palau flagged tanker damaged in Black Sea
On May 27, 2026, the 'James II' with 20 people on board, was struck by a drone enroute from Vadinar in the Black Sea, about 47 nautical miles off the coast, while sailing in ballast north of the Türkeli area. The ship was damaged in the engine room area. The last transmitted pos. was 41° 55' N 029° 41' E. The shadow tanker had transited the Bosphorus on May 5, signalling Constanta as destination, and went NUC after the strike. The 'James II' currently has no confirmed flag (it flew the Palau flag until May) and was subject to sanctions by Ukraine, the UK, and Australia. It has been involved in the export of Russian oil since June 2024, has repeatedly turned off its radars near the Kerch Strait in the Sea of Azov, and has also carried out direct transshipment of oil at sea to other sanctioned tankers. On May 28, drones also targeted the tankers 'Altura' (IMO: 9292199), which was loaded with 140000 tons crude, and 'Velora' (IMO: 9290373), which were anchored about 14 miles off the Turkish coast in the Black Sea in pos. 41° 39' N 028° 34' E, appeared to have failed to explode. The tankers were engaged in an STS transfer near Kilyos, north of Istanbul, and had to be evacuated. The 'Altura' had transited the Bosphorus on March 16 and was moored since March 27. The 'Velora' had transited the Strait on April 7. Both ships had been stationary near Yenikoy since. Coastal Safety lifeboats were sent to the scene for assistance. All crew members aboard the tankers were reported in good condition Both ships were reported as being registered in Sierra Leone, although the 'Altura'’s flag was listed as false since November 2025. Both tankers were managed by companies in Turkey and sanctioned by the UK and EU. The 'Altura' had already been damaged in an attack on March 26. Both the 'Velora' and 'Altura' were reported as being registered in Sierra Leone, although the 'Altura'’s flag has been listed as false already since November 2025. The tankers were managed by companies in Turkey and sanctioned by the UK and EU. The 'Altura' had already been damaged in an attack on March 26. Video: https://x.com/bayraktar_1love/status/2059995405362811355
Detention in Rizhao
On Oct 10, 2025 the 'James II' was detained at the port of Rizhao by the Tokyo MoU authorities after an inspection, which had revealed a total of 13 deficiencies, four of which were being regarded as seriously and grounds for a detention. The ship, which had arrived en route from Lanshan, was moored in pos. 35° 04' EN120° 02' E off Rizhao as of Oct 13.
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