Russian tanker disaster spills fuel oil into Black Sea waters
On Sunday, two Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait on the Black Sea caused a disaster. Several thousand tonnes of heavy fuel oil began leaking into the water. Greenpeace is sounding the alarm: "Russia's militarisation of the Black and Azov Seas has led to another ecological disaster," announced the Ukrainian branch of the organisation.
On Sunday, two Russian tankers—Volgoneft 212 and Volgoneft 239—broke in half in the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov. The disaster was likely caused by a storm. Both tankers are very old, built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. So far, Russian authorities have reported the death of one sailor.
As a result, 4,300 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and possibly other petroleum products are currently leaking into the waters of the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, according to an environmental protection organisation.
Both tankers were carrying a shipment intended for the Russian fleet.
Any oil or petroleum product spill into these waters could have serious consequences. The slick formed by these substances on the water's surface will move northeast and will be extremely difficult to contain under the current weather conditions. If it reaches the shore, it will cause coastal pollution, reports Greenpeace.
The organisation adds that the environmental impact will depend on the type of substances leaking from the ships.
Heavy petroleum products, such as heavy fuel oil, usually have a very harmful impact on marine fauna. Given this, efforts should focus on minimising further leakage, suggests Dr Paul Johnston, an organisation representative.
Greenpeace reminds us that in 2007, a Russian tanker in the Kerch Strait also caused a disaster. From it, 1,200 tonnes of heavy fuel oil leaked, and the effects were noticeable even a year later.
