KOLA

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Ageing Russian naval tanker broke down en route to Mediterranean Sea

The "Kola" broke down in May 2025 on its way to the Mediterranean. The ship was moored off Al Hoceima until May 22. Now it has to be towed back through the Baltic Sea to Kaliningrad. For days, NATO and German Federal Police units have been observing the Russian tug "Yevgeniy Churov" (IMO: 8406640), transiting the North Sea towards the Skagerrak at nine knots, and then on June 1 past Fehmarn and through the Kadet Trench into the Baltic Sea. The "Kola" was originally intended to supply Russian Navy units in the Mediterranean. Built in 1967, the "Kola" is one of the oldest active naval tankers in the world. Stationed in Kaliningrad with the Baltic Fleet, the ship, after 58 years of service, still serves the Russian Navy as a supply ship in Europe and the Mediterranean.

Collision off Suez

On March 23, 2021, at 7 a.m. CET the Navy bunker tanker 'Kola' was in collision with the bulk carrier 'Ark Royal' (IMO: 9219446) in the northern part of the Gulf of Suez. Both ships were approaching Suez and suffered slight damages. Later they moored at the Suez Anchorage. As of 7 p.m. CET the 'Ark Royal' remained in pos. 29° 53.27' N 032° 31.19' E. The 'Kola' was en route from Sudan to the Mediterranean, the 'Ark Royal' was enroute from Dalian.