Oil spill in Kerch Strait raises alarm over missing crew
Two Russian tankers broke down in the Kerch Strait, causing an oil spill. The fate of four crew members is unknown. The malfunction may have been the result of human error under difficult weather conditions. A rescue boat has been dispatched to the scene.
Two Russian tankers, Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239, broke down in the Kerch Strait in the Black Sea, leading to a spill of oil products.
According to the "Polish Press Agency," the incident may have been caused by human error in challenging weather conditions. A total of 27 crew members were on board both vessels.
What were the tankers carrying?
Volgoneft 212 was carrying approximately 4,700 metric tonnes of mazut, a substance hazardous to the environment. The ship, registered in St. Petersburg, had 13 people on board. Volgoneft 239, also registered in St. Petersburg, was carrying petroleum products and had 14 crew members. Both tankers were about 8 kilometres from the coastline.
The Kerch Strait, where the malfunction occurred, lies between Russia and the annexed Crimea, connecting the Sea of Azov with the Black Sea. A rescue boat was sent to the scene, but the fate of four crew members remains unknown.
Damaged ship from the "ghost fleet"
As reported in money.pl, in September this year, a damaged ship named Ruby, controlled by a company from Lebanon owned by Syrians, entered Baltic waters carrying cargoes from Russia.
The ship was damaged and was carrying 22,000 metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate, the same substance that exploded in the port of Beirut in 2020. The ship travelled about 1,600 kilometres with damages before reaching Tromso, Norway.
An inspection revealed six defects, including cracks in the hull and damage to the propeller and rudder. Irregularities in the crew's sailing licences were also detected. The ship had to use the assistance of a tug. It eventually docked at the port of Great Yarmouth in the United Kingdom.
