Kazakhstan has temporarily suspended oil loading at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) marine terminal after two tankers carrying Kazakh crude came under a drone attack in the Black Sea.

The incident occurred on July 19 while the tankers ASIA and NISSOS IOS were loading crude oil at the CPC terminal. Both vessels, crewed by international seafarers, caught fire following the drone strikes. The fires were quickly extinguished by the crews, and no injuries were reported, The Caspian Post reports via zakon.kz.

According to the Ministry of Energy, the terminal's offshore mooring facilities (SPM-1 and SPM-3) were not damaged, and no oil spill occurred. However, oil loading operations have been suspended while authorities assess the consequences of the attack.

The ministry said oil exports would remain on hold until the assessment is completed, adding that further information on the resumption of shipments would be provided in due course.

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy condemned the attack, describing strikes on civilian critical energy infrastructure as unacceptable. It warned that any attack on international energy infrastructure threatens global energy security, disrupts international trade in energy resources, and causes significant economic damage to project participants.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also strongly condemned the drone attacks on civilian vessels involved in the lawful transportation of oil through the CPC infrastructure, noting that similar incidents had occurred on July 17.

In a statement, the ministry said the attacks represented an unacceptable assault on Kazakhstan's economic interests and were aimed at destabilizing legitimate international trade, global energy markets, and critical transport and logistics supply chains.

Kazakhstan also criticized those responsible for disregarding previously agreed notification procedures governing the movement of civilian tankers in the Black Sea, saying the actions had put the lives of seafarers at serious risk.

The Foreign Ministry called for an immediate halt to the attacks and urged all partners to condemn them while supporting practical measures to safeguard Kazakhstan's oil export infrastructure. It stressed that strict adherence to international law is essential to preventing similar incidents.

Kazakhstan is currently assessing the full extent of the damage and said it reserves the right to pursue all remedies available under international law, including seeking compensation for any losses incurred.

The ministry reaffirmed Kazakhstan's commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, international law, freedom of navigation, and the secure operation of global transport, logistics, and energy corridors.