Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry said the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) is operating normally despite a drone attack near its Black Sea marine terminal, infohub.kz reports.
According to the ministry, on July 17, an unmanned aerial vehicle struck the oil tanker Nordic Zenith as it was heading to the CPC terminal for loading. The vessel was empty at the time of the attack.
"The ship's crew quickly extinguished the fire on their own. No casualties. No threat to Kazakh oil," the statement said.
The ministry emphasized that the terminal's technological infrastructure is functioning without disruptions and oil loading onto tankers continues normally.
Earlier reports said the Nordic Zenith was damaged in two nighttime drone attacks. After the fire broke out, the crew managed to extinguish it, but the vessel was unable to begin loading oil.
The CPC confirmed that the tanker was scheduled to start loading on the morning of July 17. After the incident, the vessel was deemed unfit for cargo operations, and its planned berthing at the terminal was canceled.
According to the CPC, after receiving an SOS signal, consortium specialists evacuated 13 crew members. Another nine sailors chose to remain on board.