Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Kayseri

In a significant incident that unfolded on May 27 and 28, 2026, three tankers known to be part of the shadow fleet were targeted by drone attacks while navigating the Black Sea. The 'James II' (IMO: 9253909) was struck while in motion, sustaining damages. Meanwhile, two other vessels—'Altura', carrying a cargo of 140,000 tons of crude oil, and 'Velora' (IMO: 9290373)—were anchored approximately 14 miles from the Turkish coast, specifically at coordinates 41° 39' N 028° 34' E. The drones launched at these tankers did not detonate as expected. During this tense episode, both vessels were engaged in ship-to-ship (STS) transfers near Kilyos, located north of Istanbul, prompting an evacuation of the tankers. The 'Altura' had transited the Bosphorus on March 16 and had been moored in the vicinity since March 27, while 'Velora' had navigated the Strait on April 7 and had remained stationary near Yenikoy since. In response to the unfolding situation, Coastal Safety lifeboats were deployed to the scene to provide necessary assistance. Fortunately, all crew members aboard the tankers were reported safe and unharmed. Both 'Velora' and 'Altura' are registered in Sierra Leone; however, it has been indicated that the 'Altura' has been flying a false flag since November 2025. These tankers are managed by Turkish-based companies and are currently under sanctions by both the UK and EU. Notably, the 'Altura' had previously faced damage during an attack on March 26. It is under multiple sanctions from Ukraine, the EU, the UK, and Switzerland. Since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, the 'Altura' has made over 20 visits to Russian ports, transporting millions of barrels of Russian oil, including cargo from Rosneft, in defiance of G7 restrictions and price caps. Between January 2024 and July 2025, this vessel was responsible for the transportation of around 6 million barrels of Russian oil. Additionally, there are concerns about its connections to a network of Iranian tankers operated by key figures within Iran’s government. For images and videos from the incident, visit these links: https://x.com/bayraktar_1love/status/2059995405362811355 and https://x.com/HaberDenizde/status/2059975433550966912.

On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine by unveiling a new round of anti-Russian sanctions. Included in this updated sanctions list is the tanker formerly known as 'Kaisery', which transported Russian oil to the Kulevi port on October 2, 2025. This vessel now operates under the new name 'Altura'. The journey of the 'Kaisery' began on October 2, 2025, when Georgia’s Revenue Service of the Ministry of Finance announced that the Russian oil giant Russneft had delivered its inaugural cargo to the oil processing facility in Kulevi. At that time, the tanker, sailing under the Panamanian flag, arrived from a Russian port with a massive load of up to 100,000 tonnes of crude oil. This shipment was meant for import customs procedures before being transferred to a temporary customs storage facility for thorough inspection. The UK's decision to sanction the vessel underscores their vigilant watch over exports of Russian oil, especially following the introduction of price caps and other measures imposed by Western nations. Notably, discussions about sanctions on Kulevi port were part of the EU's 20th sanctions package, but Hungary and Slovakia blocked this proposal from passing. The Kulevi port situation was officially deliberated in Brussels, supported by a comprehensive evidence package.

On October 6, 2025, the 'Kayseri' made maritime history by becoming the first tanker to transport Russian crude oil to the newly inaugurated Kulevi oil terminal in Georgia. This significant event presents a new, short-haul export route for Russian oil. The Turkish suezmax vessel successfully delivered an impressive 105,340 tonnes of Siberian Light oil, originating from the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, to the Kulevi facility, which is still under development. Following this landmark delivery, the 'Kayseri' set sail again on October 7, charting a course back to Novorossiysk, with an estimated time of arrival (ETA) planned for October 24.