In a press statement released on Saturday, KMG International reaffirms its full compliance with international sanctions regimes: neither the vessel Safeen Elona, nor its owner, nor its operators are included on any international sanctions list issued by and applicable within the European Union, the United States (OFAC), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland.
The clarifications were made by the company as allegations have been made that the Safeen Elona ship was targeted by a Ukrainian sea drone that exploded on Friday in the Romanian port of Constanta.
" KMG International reaffirms its full compliance with international sanctions regimes: neither the vessel SAFEEN ELONA, nor its owner, nor its operators are included on any international sanctions list issued by and applicable within the European Union, the United States (OFAC), the United Kingdom, or Switzerland.
Compliance with international sanctions regimes is a fundamental principle governing all operations of the KMG International - Rompetrol Group.
With regard to the vessel SAFEEN ELONA, it is important to note that it is not included on any relevant international sanctions list issued by, and applicable within, the European Union, the United States (OFAC), the United Kingdom, Switzerland, or other relevant jurisdictions."
KMG International added that as with all vessels used for the group's logistics and supply activities, both the vessel and its registered owners and operators were subject to mandatory compliance verification procedures before being accepted for operations, using advanced screening systems and up-to-date databases designed for this purpose.
"Petromidia primarily processes crude oil from Kazakhstan, Romania's main supplier, which covers more than 60% of the country's refining requirements. The refinery in Navodari also receives significant quantities of crude oil from Azerbaijan, Libya, and Guyana, depending on availability. Without exception, all such shipments are accompanied by documentation made available to the relevant Romanian and European authorities. Therefore, we encourage all stakeholders to rely on verified and official information, as well as on the assessments of the competent authorities, and to avoid speculation or assumptions that are not supported by objective evidence."
Furthermore, the entire cargo documentation package, including documents confirming the origin of the cargo, was submitted to and reviewed by the competent authorities in accordance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
The group maintains a robust compliance framework and applies comprehensive due diligence procedures to all entities, transactions, cargoes, and vessels involved in its supply chain. These controls are carried out in accordance with European Union regulations, applicable international sanctions regimes, and internal compliance policies.
" KMG International conducts its operations with full transparency and in close cooperation with Romanian and European authorities. The Group would not undertake any activity that could compromise its legal obligations, reputation, or position as one of the leading energy companies in Central and Eastern Europe.
KazMunayGas and KMG International have been long-standing strategic investors in Romania, making a significant contribution to the country's energy security, ensuring a stable supply of petroleum products to the market, and generating substantial economic benefits for Romania."
A sea drone that was discovered on Friday morning in the civil port of Constanta, near the headquarters of the Romanian Agency for the Rescue of Human Life at Sea, self-destructed around 10:30hrs, without causing fatalities, according to the Romanian Defence Ministry (MApN).
The ministry added that the object is not part of the Romanian Army's equipment and was not involved in the recent exercises organised by the army in the Black Sea area, as the drone is of the type used in the war in Ukraine.
Defence Minister Radu Miruta also said on Friday that the Ukrainian authorities announced to the Romanian side that they had lost control of four sea drones, and the one that was in the civil port of Constanta was going to explode.
The KMG International Group (Rompetrol) is a leading player in the Romanian energy industry, operating a distribution network of 1,217 points of sale in Romania, but also of the refineries Petromidia Navodari (the largest and most complex domestic unit in the field) and Vega Ploiesti (the only local producer of bitumen and hexane in Romania), and of the only petrochemical division nationwide.
