Reviews & Ratings for the Midvolga2

On December 2, 2025, the tanker 'Midvolga 2', which was transporting 6,000 tons of sunflower oil, became the target of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack while navigating the Black Sea approximately 130 kilometers off Turkey's coastline. The vessel, crewed by 15 members and traveling from Rostov-on-Don to Mersin, reported that the strike impacted the wheelhouse, resulting in shrapnel injuries to the captain and the second engineer. Fortunately, all crew members were confirmed safe, and the ship continued its journey toward Sinop with operational engines. Ukraine has firmly rejected any allegations of involvement in the incident, labeling the accusation as illogical and suggesting the possibility that Russia may have orchestrated the event for propaganda purposes. Meanwhile, Turkey's Ministry of Transport acknowledged being notified of the assault but noted that no request for assistance was made by the tanker. This incident follows a recent escalation of drone assaults, including a significant strike earlier the previous week on November 26 targeting the CPC Pipeline headquarters in Novorossiysk, a crucial facility that accounts for over 1% of the global oil supply and nearly 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports. Reports indicate that the single-point mooring (SPM) facility, SPM2, was severely impacted and could be non-operational for as long as a year. SPM3 has also been offline for maintenance since November 12, and with SPM1 as the only functional mooring point, the oil volumes being handled are reduced to about half of their usual levels. Additionally, the Turkish Directorate General of Maritime Affairs reported incidents involving the tanker 'Kairos' and 'Virat', which experienced explosions shortly after each other on November 28, believed to be caused by Ukrainian drone attacks. Both vessels, flying the Gambian flag, are suspected to belong to Russia's shadow fleet and were allegedly involved in illicit oil transport. This follows a separate attack on the Turkish tanker 'Orinda' by Russian drones while it was docked in Izmauil on the Danube on November 17, 2025. For visual coverage of the attack on 'Midvolga 2', you can access the report with photos here: https://www.haberdenizde.com/denizde-gundem/vurulan-midvolga-2den-ilk-goruntuler/

In a significant legal development, the public prosecutor’s office in Barcelona is seeking a four-year prison sentence for the captain of the Russian vessel 'Midvolga 2'. This action comes in the wake of a tragic incident that occurred in March 2017, when the tanker collided with the fishing boat 'El Fairell' while departing from Barcelona headed for Alexandria. The collision resulted in the drowning of two fishermen. Despite optimal weather and visibility conditions, the 25-meter fishing vessel was struck by 'Midvolga 2' as it approached the fishing quay from the starboard side. Tragically, three crew members were thrown overboard; only one managed to resurface. The bodies of the two missing fishermen, aged 33 and 36, from Morocco and Senegal respectively, were later discovered by the Civil Guard days after the accident. On March 28, 2023, the captain faced charges in a Barcelona criminal court for gross negligence leading to the fatalities. The prosecution not only seeks the four-year prison term but also a six-year ban on the captain operating any merchant vessels within Spanish waters. Furthermore, the court proceedings could result in hefty financial compensation: 616,796 Euros for the families of the deceased, 27,216 Euros for the survivors, and an additional 514,813 Euros each for the ship’s owners and the maritime rescue services. Should a prison sentence exceed 12 months, the prosecutor has requested that the captain be expelled from Spain and prohibited from re-entry for a decade. Maritime safety experts have attributed 70% of the accident’s responsibility to the 'Midvolga 2'.

On April 7, the tanker 'Midvolga 2' was granted permission to depart from the port of Barcelona following her release by maritime authorities. The vessel had been held since March 20 after a tragic collision with the fishing trawler 'El Fairell,' which occurred approximately three miles south of the port as 'Midvolga 2' was en route to Alexandria. The incident resulted in the unfortunate deaths of two crew members aboard the fishing vessel. To secure her exit, the shipowner was required to pay a bond of 300,000 Euros, imposed by the Maritime Captaincy, as a necessary guarantee tied to sanctions for serious navigational misconduct. Additionally, a bond of 308,000 Euros was mandated by the Mercantile Court, addressing the lawsuit filed by the owner of 'El Fairell.' The financial burden also included 527,000 Euros for the emergency services provided by Sasemar and others during the rescue operations. Moreover, the first officer of 'Midvolga 2' had already posted a bail guarantee of 50,000 Euros, as per the requirements set by the Court of Barcelona, to avoid incarceration. This officer is facing charges of two counts of reckless homicide, stemming from alleged gross negligence while operating the tanker. Now cleared for her journey, 'Midvolga 2' will set sail with the same crew of 12 who were aboard during the incident. Investigations revealed that both vessels failed to adhere to the safety regulations outlined in the Regulation to Prevent Accidents at Sea, indicating shared responsibility for the collision. The tanker embarked from the port at 8:30 p.m., with an estimated time of arrival in Rostov-on-Don set for April 18.

In a remarkable effort, the crew of the 'Clara Campoamor' has diligently worked to locate the bodies of the crew members missing from the ill-fated 'El Fairell.' On the morning of March 24, the Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) successfully retrieved the final missing individual near the fishing vessel. At 4:45 a.m., the body of a 37-year-old Senegalese man was brought to the surface and subsequently transferred to a vessel of the Special Underwater Activities Group (GEAS) of the Civil Guard. It was then taken to the facilities of the Maritime Service Provincial de la Benemérita. The search efforts began in earnest on the afternoon of March 23, when the first body was found—a Moroccan man—close to the wreckage. This body was carefully placed into a basket and hoisted from a depth of 15 meters, where divers were ready to recover it and bring it to safety. Prior to the retrieval, the ROV efficiently cleared debris that obstructed its approach to the wreck, lying at a depth of 160 meters. A thorough inspection of the ship was conducted to ascertain that no additional bodies remained inside the wreck before continuing the search in the surrounding area. Meanwhile, the 'Guardamar Callíope' facilitated the transfer of the vessel’s skipper to the 'Clara Campoamor,' accompanied by his brother and the Maritime Captain of Barcelona, Javier Valencia. The situation escalated further as the captain and first officer of the 'Midvolga 2' faced summons to the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Cataluña (TSJC) in Barcelona. They are being investigated for their alleged involvement in what may be deemed a 'reckless crime,' as they held significant responsibility in the incident. The 'Midvolga 2' remains impounded in the port of Barcelona, awaiting conclusions regarding the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident.