The Clean Arctic Alliance has issued a response to the sinking of two Russian oil tankers in the Kerch Strait on 15 December resulting in a reported spill of around 4,000 tonnes of mazut, a low-grade heavy fuel oil.
A significant oil spill occurred along the Russian Black Sea coast after two tankers were severely damaged in a storm over the weekend of December 14-15, 2024. Oil products were found along tens of kilometers of coastline from Temryuk to Anapa. The spill has impacted the local marine ecosystem, particularly in the Kerch Strait, an important area for migrating dolphins and other sea mammals. Dr. Sian Prior, Lead Advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance issued a response regarding the incident.
In light of this week’s oil spills following oil tanker accidents in the Kerch Strait, the Clean Arctic Alliance is repeating calls to immediately prohibit the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic. We are dismayed about the impact of the recent heavy fuel oil tanker accident in the Kerch Strait and cautions that this scenario – the use of antiquated vessels to transport heavy fuel oil during stormy conditions is an indicator of what could easily unfold in the Arctic.
…said Dr. Sian Prior, Lead Advisor, Clean Arctic Alliance.
Dr. Prior continued by commenting that this accident demonstrates the inability of authorities to respond to heavy fuel oil accidents even in a region where there is considerable shipping, port facilities and resources – a spill would have far worse implications in the Arctic. All Arctic nations, including Russia, must urgently implement the full intent of the International Maritime Organization’s Arctic HFO ban, instead of hiding behind the waivers and exemptions that currently allow ongoing use of HFO as a result of loopholes in the July 2024 regulation according to Dr. Prior
