A significant environmental disaster unfolded in the Black Sea when 2,400 tons of fuel oil spilled following a collision between two tankers, according to Russia's Ministry of Transport.

The spill involved four tanks of fuel oil from the tankers Volgoneft-239 and Volgoneft-212, which collided on December 15 in the Kerch Strait. "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.

At a coordination meeting of the Operational Headquarters of the Krasnodar region, chaired by First Deputy Governor Igor Galas, the volume of the spill was confirmed. "Specialists have determined the volume of petroleum products that entered the sea—approximately 2,400 tons," the Ministry reported.

The incident marks the first emergency involving "heavy" fuel oil of the M100 grade worldwide. "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," explained experts from the Marine Rescue Service.

The cleanup poses unique challenges as 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 added.

Adding to the maritime chaos, on December 17, a third Russian Volgoneft-class oil tanker, also carrying fuel oil, issued a distress signal in the Black Sea.

This series of events underscores the urgent need for improved maritime safety measures and effective environmental response strategies in the region. (ILKHA)