Suezmax Tanker Nordic Zenith Struck by Two Drones at CPC Terminal, Novorossiysk

The Suezmax tanker Nordic Zenith was struck by two drones on July 18 while positioned at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk, Russia, where it was due to load Kazakh crude oil for ExxonMobil. A fire broke out and was subsequently extinguished.

Thirteen crew members were evacuated by nearby CPC vessels; nine chose to remain aboard. The vessel has been removed from the CPC loading schedule and declared unfit for mooring operations at the terminal.

CPC did not attribute responsibility for the strike. Ukraine did not comment.

The attack follows the earlier strike on the Yasa Polaris — on charter to Chevron — at the same terminal on July 7, establishing a pattern of targeted strikes against vessels loading on behalf of Western energy majors at the CPC terminal.

Damage assessment is ongoing. No independent investigation authority has been confirmed.