Oslo-Carrier-3 Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The cargo vessel known as the 'Oslo Carrier 3' is currently in the limelight due to its connections to recent drone incidents in Denmark. Owned by a shipping firm based in Oslo, the vessel has transitioned from the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) to the Portuguese flag, a change confirmed on September 24, 2023. This shift came after the Norwegian Maritime Directorate was notified about the re-flagging in July. During the drone attack at Kastrup, 'Oslo Carrier 3' was reported to be seven kilometers away from the incident. Notably, this ship garnered attention from Danish police back in January 2025 when drones were spotted flying over the Køge port. At that time, the vessel was still under the Norwegian flag as highlighted in internal police documents. On September 25, a company spokesperson revealed that the crew aboard the ship comprises individuals of diverse nationalities, including Russians. The ship was registered under the NIS with a Russian captain in December 2022, approximately ten months post Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Reports indicate that during prior port calls in Norway this year, one crew list consisted entirely of Russian nationals. Questions regarding the current captaincy and crew nationality have arisen, but Managing Director Jan Rune Mørken has refrained from providing answers. Meanwhile, spokesperson Kristin Wilhelmsen pointed to a company statement mentioning the vessel's inspection upon its arrival in Klaipeda on September 24, conducted by border guards and NATO personnel, who left without any remarks. Additionally, on September 26, Danwatch linked the shipping company to a Russian paramilitary group, a claim that Bulkship Management confirmed as relating to historic guard duty. The company operates an office in Kaliningrad, responsible for recruiting Russian seafarers for its fleet. Following its inspection, 'Oslo Carrier 3' departed Klaipeda on September 27, headed towards Hamina, where it reached on September 29, before continuing to Bejaia on October 1.

On the evening of September 22, 2025, the cargo vessel m/v 'Astrol 1' (IMO: 9906544) came under scrutiny as part of an investigation into a major drone attack that resulted in the shutdown of Copenhagen Airport. This incident forced the cancellation or diversion of approximately 150 flights at one of Northern Europe's busiest airports. Authorities have identified three vessels that were strategically positioned during the attack, which has sparked an international investigation into this unprecedented aviation security breach. The 'Astrol 1', under sanctions, was navigating the Øresund Strait and exhibited suspicious movement patterns during the timing of the drone assault, drawing the attention of investigators. Its path coincided with the sighting of multiple large drones over Kastrup Airport, suggesting a possible coordination between maritime and aerial operations. Another vessel of interest is the 'Pushpa' (IMO: 9332810), flagged in Benin and known to be sanctioned for its involvement in transporting oil from Russia. This tanker was under surveillance for four hours by a German NATO warship, raising serious security alarms during the drone incident. Additionally, the 'Oslo Carrier 3' was detected just seven kilometers from Kastrup Airport as authorities chased the drones. The presence of several Russian-speaking crew members and the ship owner’s ties to Kaliningrad, Russia, have made it a focal point in the growing investigation. This drone assault on Copenhagen Airport stands as one of the most significant incidents in Scandinavian aviation history, highlighting vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure. As Kastrup Airport, which serves nearly 30 million passengers annually, went into lockdown mode, the effectiveness of this coordinated attack on operational airspace became alarmingly clear.

In a contentious development following the sinking of the Russian heavy load carrier "Ursa Major" due to multiple explosions off the coast of Spain and Algeria, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has made unsubstantiated claims against the Norwegian freighter 'Oslo Carrier 3'. Medvedev's assertions, made as a close ally of Vladimir Putin, allege that Bulkship Management, the Norwegian shipping company, intentionally refused to allow crew members of the distressed vessel to board. This claim was swiftly refuted by Bulkship Management, which stated that the lifeboat carrying 14 survivors from the "Ursa Major" was tethered to the "Oslo Carrier 3" until the Spanish Coastguard arrived to assist. According to their explanation, the Spanish vessel instructed that the survivors not be taken on board as they were en route to render aid. The shipping company emphasized that the weather conditions were favorable, and the sailors aboard the lifeboat were unharmed and not facing immediate threats. To bolster their response, Bulkship Management released two compelling photos—one capturing the lifeboat securely fastened to the side of the "Oslo Carrier 3" and another depicting the lifeboat being towed by the approaching Spanish rescue ship. Medvedev, however, painted the actions of the Norwegian crew in a negative light, suggesting they exemplified Europe's purported anti-Russian stance. He expressed his outrage, calling the incident "unforgivable" and insisted that repercussions should follow, which could involve hybrid tactics, including sabotage. This rhetoric echoes recent events, such as the December 25 interruption of the Estlink 2 power connection between Estonia and Finland. Finnish authorities seized the tanker "Eagle S", linked to Russian oil transportation, which may have been implicated in the incident. Following the disaster of the "Ursa Major", the Russian logistics company Oboronlogistika labeled the incident a terrorist act. Reports indicate that the vessel was not overloaded, contradicting some of the earlier narratives. Instead, survivors recounted experiencing three sequential explosions on the starboard side before abandoning ship. Notably, both Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug, the ship's operator, were sanctioned by the United States in 2022 due to their affiliations with the Russian military. For further details, please find photos at: https://bulkship.no/737-2/