2,400 Tons of Fuel Oil Spill Into Black Sea After Tanker Collision, Russia Reports

2,400 tons of fuel oil spilled into the Black Sea following the tanker collision, Russia's Ministry of Transport reported on its official Telegram channel.

“The spill amounts to a total of four tanks of fuel oil. A detailed inspection revealed that on both tankers, the tanks were damaged along the ship's fracture line. However, the rest of the tankers' hulls show no visible damage, and no ongoing fuel oil leaks have been detected,“ the Ministry stated.

Specialists have determined the volume of petroleum products that entered the sea—approximately 2,400 tons.

“This information was presented at a coordination meeting of the Operational Headquarters of the Krasnodar region for emergency response, chaired by First Deputy Governor and head of the regional operational headquarters, Igor Galas,“ the Ministry added.

Specialists from the Marine Rescue Service also note that the emergency in the Kerch Strait is the first worldwide incident involving "heavy" fuel oil of the M100 grade. This type of fuel oil solidifies at +25°C, has a density similar to water, is heavier, and, unlike other petroleum products, does not float to the surface but sinks to the bottom or remains suspended in the water column.

“There are no proven technologies for removing it from the water column. Therefore, the primary method for cleanup is collection from the shoreline when the oil washes up into the coastal zone,” the statement reads.

On December 15, the tankers Volgoneft-239 and Volgoneft-212, carrying about nine tons of fuel oil, sank in the Kerch Strait, leading to the spill.

On December 17, a third Russian Volgoneft-class oil tanker carrying fuel oil issued a distress signal in the Black Sea.