Explosion aboard Russian tanker in Ust‑Luga poses no threat
According to the governor of the Leningrad region, a tanker exploded in the Russian port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea. The local maritime agency assured that there were no casualties or fuel leaks. The explosion was reported to have been caused by a crew member's error.
The Russian tanker's engine room exploded during engine startup in the Baltic port of Ust-Luga. The crew was evacuated, and the cargo tanks were not damaged. "The explosion occurred during the engine startup," the Russian maritime and river transport agency Rosmorrechflot reported.
Explosion on the Russian tanker in the port on the Baltic Sea
The governor of the Leningrad region, Aleksandr Drozdenko, informed via Telegram that there is no environmental threat. The explosion was reportedly the result of a "human-caused incident."
As highlighted by Radio Svoboda's portal, there were approximately 143,000 tons of fuel on board the tanker, which sails under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. The crew consisted of 24 members, primarily Russians, but also included Georgians and Indonesians. The explosion damaged the ship's engine room.
Recall that in December 2024, two Russian tankers ran aground in the Kerch Strait, causing a heavy fuel oil spill. Since sanctions were imposed on Russia, the country has been using the so-called shadow fleet to continue exporting oil and gas amid strict sanctions placed on the country following the outbreak of war in Ukraine.
