Russian oil spill disaster in Kerch Strait nears $1 billion loss
The fuel oil spill from two Russian tankers that occurred in December 2024 in the Kerch Strait resulted in losses amounting to 84.9 billion rubles, nearly a billion dollars, according to Rosprirodnadzor, the Russian agency responsible for environmental protection, on Friday.
What do you need to know?
- When and where did the spill occur? The disaster took place on December 15, 2024, in the Kerch Strait, located between Russia and the annexed Crimea.
- What are the estimated losses? Rosprirodnadzor estimated the losses at 84.9 billion rubles, nearly a billion dollars.
- What was the cause of the spill? According to the Russian Ministry of Transport's commission, the failure of the captains and shipowners to adhere to winter navigational restrictions was the cause.
What are the effects of the fuel oil spill?
The agency has just submitted its estimates to the government commission coordinating efforts to address the disaster's effects in the Black Sea. "The spill caused severe contamination of water and soil, along with significant destruction of flora and fauna," states the report.
The companies that owned both tankers were ordered to "voluntarily compensate the damages" within a month. Failing that, the case will proceed to court, as reported by the Russian version of "Forbes" magazine.
What was the cause of the disaster?
The report also indicated that the Russian Ministry of Transport's commission believes the primary cause of the disaster was "the failure of captains and shipowners to comply with restrictions during the winter navigation season."
The commission further noted that there was a lack of qualified personnel among the tanker crews.
How much fuel oil leaked into the sea?
The disaster in the Kerch Strait, located between Russia and Crimea, annexed by Moscow in 2014, occurred on December 15, 2024. According to Russian government experts, approximately 2,400 tonnes (about 2,645 short tons) of petroleum products entered the sea, which is less than initially predicted. Rescue services reported in December that the tankers were carrying approximately 9,200 tonnes (about 10,141 short tons) of fuel oil, with about 40% initially believed to have spilled into the water.
Fuel oil is a heavy heating oil that solidifies at 25 degrees Celsius. Both ships, the Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, are aging, having been built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The tankers were carrying cargo intended for the Russian Navy.
