MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Ursa Major freighter, which sank in the Mediterranean, was not overloaded, Oboronlogistika LLC, owner of the ship, told TASS.

"The Ursa Major ship (one of the largest freighters in Russia, load capacity - 9,500 tons) was traveling from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, with a project cargo of 806 tons. It carried 2 portal cranes, net weight 686 tons, 2 crane kibbles, net weight 27 tons, 2 ship bilge covers, net weight 91 tons, one 20-foot container with spare parts for the covers weighing 2 tons and 129 empty containers. Thus, the version, voiced by a number of media about the ship’s alleged overload is false and harms the reputation of Oboronlogistika LLC," the company said.

The Ursa Major bulk carrier sank in the Mediterranean Sea. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the ship sank after an explosion occurred in the engine room. The incident took place in international waters between Spain and Algeria. 14 out of 16 crew members have been saved, while 2 are missing.