Third Russian Oil Tanker Issues Distress Signal in Black Sea Amid Fuel Leak

A third Russian Volgoneft-class oil tanker carrying fuel oil has issued a distress signal in the Black Sea, according to Russian media outlet Baza on December 17.

The distress signal reportedly came from the vicinity of the Port of Kavkaz after a cargo leak was detected on the vessel.

It’s stated that the captain of the Volgoneft-109 tanker sent the distress signal during the night of December 17. He reported a breach in the seal of the ship’s fourth cargo tank, which caused fuel oil to leak into the ballast tank.

The fuel oil has not entered the sea, as the hull’s integrity remains intact, according to reports.

The Volgoneft-109, with 14 crew members on board, is not in danger according to the captain, who has declined to evacuate them.

The tanker is currently positioned near Kuchugury, southeast of Cape Peklo.

On December 15, reports emerged of two other Volgoneft-class tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, sinking in the Kerch Strait while carrying oil products. The tankers went to sea in violation of navigation regulations, according to Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk on December 16.

Later, Greenpeace Ukraine warned that the incidents involving the two tankers in the Kerch Strait—connecting the Black and Azov Seas—could result in the release of up to 4,300 tons of fuel oil and potentially other petroleum products into the water.

Patches of oil started washing ashore along southern Russia's Black Sea coast two days after two aging Russian-flagged tankers were damaged in the sea, regional authorities reported on December 17.