Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Eco-Wizard

The LPG carrier 'Eco Wizard' has safely departed from Ust-Luga on November 22, following a protracted five-month period dedicated to extensive repairs and investigations after suffering two explosions, which were likely a result of a Ukrainian sabotage operation on July 6. According to the shipowner, StealthGas, the vessel was towed into Riga on December 16 for additional inspections and assessments. The lengthy process was further complicated by the necessity of obtaining Western licenses to enable payments to Russian service providers involved in the repair efforts.

On July 6, 2025, a significant incident unfolded at Ust-Luga seaport as the 'Eco Wizard,' an LNG tanker, experienced a serious explosion during ammonia loading operations. Early in the morning, the explosion led to an ammonia leak and caused the vessel to take on water, resulting in a noticeable tilt to its port side. Emergency teams at the terminal immediately sprang into action to manage the situation. In response, Russia's Transportation Ministry promptly assembled an emergency meeting at its Situational and Information Center, presided over by Transport Minister Roman Starovoit. As a precautionary measure, all loading operations were halted at the port, and local authorities issued alerts for nearby facilities. The incident necessitated the evacuation of the 23 crew members on board the tanker. To assess the damage to the hull and cargo systems, emergency services organized a diving inspection, which later utilized an underwater drone. This inspection revealed two significant breaches, each measuring approximately 1 by 1.5 meters, near the engine room at depths of 6 and 7 meters, with signs indicating that the metal was bent inward—a strong indication of an external explosion. Compounding the incident's gravity, the tanker had not undergone a recent inspection upon its arrival from Antwerp due to adverse weather conditions. With 3,500 tons of ammonia already loaded at the time of the explosion, operations were immediately suspended. Speculation surrounds the cause of the blast, ranging from potential technical failures to theories of sabotage. The 'Eco Wizard' is believed to have links to Russia's shadow fleet, adding another layer of intrigue to this unfolding crisis. For further details and pictures, you can view the full report here: [Splash247 Article](https://splash247.com/russia-downplays-ammonia-leak-in-wake-of-stealthgas-tanker-blast-at-ust-luga/).