The incident at Ust-Luga involving StealthGas’s Eco Wizard marks the sixth such unexplained blast on vessels linked to Russia this year.
An LPG carrier, the 40,000-cbm Eco Wizard (built 2024), suffered at least one, and possibly two, explosions near the Russian port of Ust Luga on July 6, 2025, leading to an ammonia leak and the evacuation of its 23-person crew. While Russian authorities have downplayed the environmental impact, describing the leak as "insignificant," the incident adds to a growing list of mysterious blasts affecting tankers connected to Russia, sparking speculation about a possible Ukrainian involvement.
The incident unfolded during loading operations at the Ust-Luga's EuroChem terminal. Initial reports from Russian Telegram news channels indicated an "explosion of an unknown nature" preceded the leak, while other accounts reported two explosions roughly ten minutes apart near the vessel's engine room. These blasts caused hull breaches, allowing seawater to enter the vessel and causing it to list to port. Photos circulating online, including from Marine Traffic, show the Eco Wizard listing.
The Russian Ministry of Transport confirmed a "minor leak of liquid ammonia" and stated that emergency services were working to contain the incident. Loading operations were promptly halted, and emergency rescue services were put on high alert. Russian Transport Minister Roman Starovoit held an emergency meeting on the matter, and a diving inspection of the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, managed by Athens-registered Brave Maritime Corporation, is planned to assess the extent of the damage. No casualties were reported among the evacuated crew.
The Eco Wizard's arrival in Ust-Luga from Antwerp, Belgium, on July 3. However, the vessel is reportedly suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet," a collection of tankers allegedly used by Moscow to circumvent international sanctions.
This blast on the Eco Wizard is notably the sixth explosion to damage a tanker linked to Russian ports since the beginning of 2025. Just a week prior, the "shadow fleet" tanker Vilamoura experienced an explosion off the Libyan coast after visiting Russian ports, while carrying 1 million barrels of oil. Earlier incidents this year involved the tankers Seajewel (flagged Malta), Seacharm (flagged Marshall Islands), Grace Ferrum (flagged Liberia), and Kola (flagged Antigua and Barbuda), all of which had called at Russian ports before being struck by explosions.
Ust-Luga, a critical hub for Russia's oil, chemical, and fertilizer exports, remains under close watch as investigations into this latest blast commence.
