On June 27, 2025, a tanker belonging to russia’s so-called shadow fleet, the Vilamoura, experienced an explosion in its engine room while sailing through the Mediterranean Sea.

The incident occurred approximately 150 kilometers northeast of Libya’s territorial waters as the vessel was en route from the Libyan port of Zuwetina.

The Vilamoura, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, was reportedly carrying at least 1 million barrels of crude oil.

The tanker has a track record of transporting russian oil products, with documented stops at ports in the russian federation. In April 2025, it was recorded at the Ust-Luga oil terminal, and in May, it was seen near Novorossiysk.

As of July 1, 2025, the Boka Summit, a firefighting tug flying the Maltese flag, is towing the damaged vessel to the Laconian Gulf in Greece for technical assessment and damage inspection.

The registered owner of the Vilamoura is TMS Tanker Ltd., a transport company based in Marousi, Greece.