Vilamoura Vessel Reviews and Specifications

In a significant maritime development, a vessel was officially beached in Aliaga on February 11, 2026. This event marks an important moment for the local shipbreaking industry, which has gained prominence as a key player in the global maritime sector. The location of Aliaga has become known for its ship recycling capabilities. Stay tuned for more updates regarding the implications of this beached vessel on the economy and environment.

On July 6, TMS Tankers, the operator of the oil tanker 'Vilamoura', announced that a preliminary investigation suggests the vessel was struck by an external explosive device. The incident occurred off the coast of Libya, shortly after the tanker departed from the Libyan port of Zuetina on June 27, 2023, en route to Gibraltar, carrying a cargo of one million barrels of oil. During its voyage, an explosion rocked the engine room, leading to substantial damage. Initial findings from the investigation indicate that the explosion, which resulted in fractured shell plating and water ingress in the engine room, can be attributed to an unidentified explosive device. TMS Tankers is continuing its assessment of the situation.

According to Ukrainian military intelligence, the tanker 'Vilamoura' has been identified as part of Russia's elusive 'Ghost Fleet', a fleet allegedly involved in bypassing Western sanctions. On June 27, while carrying over one million barrels of crude oil, the vessel sustained significant damage from an explosion off the Libyan coast, roughly 150 kilometers from shore in the Mediterranean Sea. Owned by Greek firm TMS Tanker Limited, the Vilamoura has a history of transporting cargo originating from Russian ports. The explosion reportedly flooded the engine room, although the precise cause remains undetermined. Details about this incident emerged on June 30, and the damaged tanker is currently being towed to the Gulf of Laconia for necessary inspections and repairs. This event joins a concerning trend of unexplained explosions impacting oil tankers operating in Russian ports. In precaution, shipowners have started to conduct thorough inspections for potential underwater mines using divers and drones. Ukrainian intelligence further reveals that Russia's ghost fleet has swelled to nearly 1,000 vessels, amassing over 100 million tons in total tonnage. These ships routinely change flags, disable their tracking systems, and operate under reduced visibility to evade detection and continue the illegal export of Russian oil.

The 'Vilamoura' tanker sustained severe damage from an explosion in its engine room shortly after departing Zueitina, Libya, on June 27, 2025. The vessel, which was carrying one million barrels of crude oil and en route to Gibraltar, encountered a catastrophic breach that flooded the engine room. Initially thought to be a result of a limpet mine attack, subsequent inspections revealed multiple shrapnel holes on the deck, casting doubt on this theory. At the time of the incident, the suezmax tanker, operated by George Economou's TMS Tankers, was stranded approximately 90 nautical miles off the Libyan coast, having become unable to maneuver. The last reported position of the ship was noted as Not Under Command (NUC) on June 29, at coordinates 33° 38' N, 019° 40' E. Emergency response was swift; the fire-fighting tug 'Boka Summit' (IMO: 9315575) reached the 'Vilamoura' around 09:17 a.m. UTC on June 28, providing crucial assistance that allowed for stabilization of the vessel. Both ships then began a cautious journey towards the Peloponnese region of Greece with the goal of conducting a ship-to-ship transfer of the cargo, with an estimated time of arrival between July 1 and 2. Following the transfer, a forensic security investigation will be initiated to uncover the circumstances surrounding the explosion. TMS Tankers confirmed the incident on June 30. Earlier this year, the 'Vilamoura' had made multiple voyages to Russian oil terminals, including Ust-Luga on April 30 and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk, raising concerns due to the previous explosions involving other vessels. Notably, four other ships have experienced similar fates since January, including the Malta-flagged 'Seajewel' (IMO: 9388807), the Marshall Islands-flagged 'Seacharm' (IMO: 9773765), the Liberia-flagged 'Grace Ferrum' (IMO: 9667928), and the Antigua-Barbuda-flagged 'Koala' (IMO: 9234642), all of which had also visited Russian ports prior to their explosions. A detailed report accompanied by photos can be accessed at the link: https://www.lloydslist.com/LL1154049/Fear-and-speculation-mount-after-another-tanker-is-hit-by-unexplained-blast.