Oil loading operations at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) marine terminal near Novorossiysk, Russia, have been temporarily suspended after two crude oil tankers were reportedly attacked during loading operations in the Black Sea on July 19. The affected vessels were identified as ASIA and NISSOS IOS.

According to the CPC, a fire broke out aboard the tanker ASIA following the incident but was successfully extinguished. Both vessels remained afloat, and the company reported that there were no injuries, fatalities, or oil spills involving CPC personnel or contractors.

The consortium said loading operations have been suspended while authorities and terminal operators assess the situation. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy also confirmed that the terminal's Single Point Mooring facilities were not damaged, although oil loading will remain on hold pending further evaluation.

The CPC did not identify who was responsible for the reported attacks. The incident comes as security risks in the Black Sea continue to affect commercial shipping, with several merchant vessels reportedly involved in recent attacks linked to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine conflict.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium operates one of the region\'s most important crude oil export routes, transporting approximately 80% of Kazakhstan\'s oil exports through the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The temporary suspension of loading operations may affect crude oil shipments until normal operations resume.