Two Russian oil tankers sink in Black Sea, raising pollution concerns

Two Russian oil tankers sank in the Black Sea during a storm, spilling oil and endangering marine life. Experts blamed Russia's use of aging, poorly maintained vessels, while environmental damage remains a concern for marine life.

Monday December 16 2024 03:22 pm

Duvar English

Two Russian oil tankers have sunk in the Black Sea during a violent storm. The Volgoneft-212 carried 4,300 tons of oil, while the Volgoneft-239 had 15 crew members and 4 tons of fuel. Both ships ran ashore near the Kerch Strait between Crimea and Russia's Krasnodar Krai, according to reporting by the online news outlet Mediascope.

Later, the Volgoneft-212 broke in two due to a massive wave. The bow of the tanker, which had 13 crew members on board, lifted into the air. Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry launched a rescue operation with tugboats and helicopters.

The Ministry announced that 13 sailors from the Volgoneft-212 tanker were rescued alive, while one body was recovered. Rescue teams also evacuated 15 sailors from the drifting Volgoneft-239 tanker.

The Russian Investigative Committee launched an investigation citing "violations of traffic safety and maritime transport operation rules."

Russia has a track record of causing environmental damage in the Black Sea. In 2007, the Volgoneft-139 tanker sank during a storm in the Kerch Strait, spilling 1,000 tons of oil into the sea. In 2023, Russia exploded the Kakhovka Dam, contaminating 18 billion tons of water.

Michelle Bockmann, an analyst for the British shipping journal Lloyd’s List, said the tankers were not part of Russia’s shadow fleet. Experts believe Russia has created a shadow fleet of old ships to evade sanctions.

The damaged tankers were used for river and coastal transport. Maritime safety expert Ivan Petrov said Russia owns over 100 old, poorly maintained, and uninsured vessels.

Ukraine responded to the incident. Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk has said that 55-year-old tankers had “no business” being at sea during a storm.

Marine biologists said environmental damage in the Black Sea has worsened since the war began. In 2022, 1,000 dolphins died, and the population of mussels and shellfish declined. Experts warned the new oil spill threatens marine life.

Environmental groups like Greenpeace and WWF expressed concern about rising pollution in the Black Sea. They emphasized that the war’s environmental impact will last for years.