A TANKER that was left without steering is now being escorted by a Spanish tug towards the Moroccan port of Tanger Med, authorities have confirmed.

Mozambique-flagged, 2007-built chemical and oil tanker Chariot Tide (IMO: 9323376) entered the Strait of Gibraltar in the early hours of January 22, partially laden with oil.

Shortly after, Chariot Tide’s automatic identification system showed the vessel as “not under command” and its speed reduced.

The Spanish Maritime Safety and Rescue Society (SASEMAR) told Lloyd’s List that the tanker suffered an engine failure and was left without steering.

Chariot Tide is sanctioned by both the EU and UK, and appears on Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s Shadow Fleet List. Its registered owner is listed as Clariton Shipping, based in the Marshall Islands.

Following several days of Chariot Tide drifting, SASEMAR tug Clara Campoamor (IMO: 9338022) was dispatched on January 26. The tug met Chariot Tide at 1700 hrs that same day, escorting it away from the busy shipping lanes of the Strait of Gibraltar.

Chariot Tide changed course on the morning of January 28 and is now heading westwards once more. SASEMAR told Lloyd’s List the tanker had repaired its fault and is heading for Tanger Med, escorted by Clara Compoamor as a precautionary measure.

Another sanctioned tanker, Russia-flagged PROGRESS (IMO: 9306627), also looked to have lost propulsion in the Mediterranean at a similar time. Its AIS showed as “not under command” between January 22 and January 26, before resuming its voyage eastwards.

Both incidents sparked concern in Mediterranean countries of a potential spill in an area dense with tourist resorts.

Several Baltic states have warned of the potential calamity that would unfurl should a shadow fleet* tanker spill its cargo without adequate insurance to cover a multimillion-dollar clean-up.