Russian tankers' spill in Kerch strait causes billion-dollar loss
The fuel oil spill from two Russian tankers that took place in December 2024 in the Kerch Strait resulted in losses amounting to 84.9 billion roubles, 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 happened on 15 December 2024, in the Kerch Strait, between Russia and annexed Crimea.
- What are the estimated losses? Rosprirodnadzor estimated the losses at 84.9 billion roubles, equivalent to nearly a billion dollars.
- What was the cause of the spill? The Russian Ministry of Transport's commission pointed to the failure of the captains and shipowners to adhere to winter navigational restrictions.
What are the effects of the fuel oil spill?
The agency has just submitted its estimates to the government commission coordinating efforts to mitigate the effects of the disaster in the Black Sea. According to the report, "the spill caused severe contamination of water and soil, as well as significant destruction of flora and fauna. "
The companies that owned both tankers have been ordered to "voluntarily compensate the damages" within a month. If they fail to do so, the matter will proceed to court, as reported by the Russian version of "Forbes" magazine.
What was the cause of the disaster?
The report also noted that the Russian Ministry of Transport commission believes the main cause of the disaster was "the failure of captains and shipowners to adhere to restrictions during the winter navigation season."
The commission additionally observed 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 Russian territory and Crimea annexed by Moscow in 2014, occurred on 15 December 2024. According to Russian government experts, approximately 1,930 metric tonnes (about 2,120 tons) of petroleum products entered the sea, which is a smaller spill than initially predicted. Rescue services reported in December that the tankers were carrying approximately 7,460 metric tonnes (about 8,220 tons) of fuel oil, with around 40% initially believed to have spilled into the water.
Fuel oil is a heavy heating oil that becomes solid at 25 degrees Celsius. Both ships, the Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, are ageing units built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The tankers were carrying cargo intended for the Russian Navy.
