Third Tanker in Trouble as Oil Spill Hits Black Sea Coast

The Russian tanker ships Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 were severely damaged in a storm this weekend, according to Reuters. Since the events, a significant fuel spill from both vessels has washed up along the Russian coast of the Black Sea.

Russian media outlets are now reporting issues with a third ship from the same fleet.

Distress Signal Sent

State news agency TASS reported that the third tanker Volgoneft-109 (IMO: 8230651), issued a distress signal. Its hull is said to remain intact, and no oil spill has been reported.

The crew were reported safe. Russian news agency RIA also reported that the 4,700 DWT Volgoneft-109 is currently anchored safely near the port of Kavkaz in the Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov.

In their report, Reuters confirms a certificate showing that Volgoneft-109 was built in 1973 and is part of the same aging fleet as the two other damaged tankers.

Fear Environmental Disasters

According to RIA, the tank ship Volgoneft-212 split in two during the storm in the Kerch Strait last Sunday. The second tanker Volgoneft-239, ran aground 80 meters off the coast near the port of Taman on the eastern side of the strait. Both tankers are over 50 years old.

One crew member from the Volgoneft 212 died in Sunday’s incident, while all 14 crew members on the Volgoneft 239 were rescued.

The two vessels were carrying a combined total of approximately 9,200 tons (62,000 barrels) of oil products, according to TASS. Due to their recent damage, there are concerns that this could become one of the largest environmental disasters the region has faced in years.

Twelve Kilometers of Oil Spill

Governor of the southern Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev, reported that fuel oil had been discovered along the coast between the towns of Anapa and Temryuk. 

“This morning, while monitoring the shoreline, patches of fuel oil were found. Oil products have washed ashore for several tens of kilometers,” he explained as reported by Reuters.

Due to the spilled oil along the coastline, four settlements in Temryuk and one village in Anapa district have been declared to be in a local state of emergency, according to the authorities.

A post by Zvezda TV confirms the black, oil-like substance along the shoreline at Anapa. Additionally, State TV Channel Vesti broadcasted a video showing birds covered in oil, struggling to fly as they flapped their wings.

Citing a scientist, TASS reported that the nearby Kerch Strait is a vital area for migrating dolphins and other marine mammals.

"You could say they hit a key area," remarked Dmitry Glazov from the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, as reported by Reuters.

The Kerch Strait is also a vital route for Russian grain and fuel exports.

Russia's Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology reported on Monday that the extent of the fuel oil leaking into the sea remains unclear. Minister Alexander Kozlov also stated that some of the spilled oil might have sunk to the seabed due to the cold temperatures, according to Reuters.