OIL SPILLS IN KERCH STRAIT
- A Russian oil tanker broke apart during a heavy storm on 15th December 2024, spilling oil into the Kerch Strait. One person has been confirmed dead.
- Another Russian tanker was also in trouble after taking damage.
- Both incidents took place in the waters between mainland Russia and Crimea, an area Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.
WHAT IS A STRAIT?
- A strait is a narrow waterway that connects two larger bodies of water, separating two land masses.
THE KERCH STRAIT:
- Location: Eastern Europe; connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
- Historical Names:
- Romans called it the Strait of Cimmerian Bosphorus.
- Greeks referred to it as the Cimmerian Strait.
MORE ABOUT KERCH STRAIT
- Geography:
- Separation: Divides the Kerch Peninsula (part of Russian-occupied Crimea) from the Taman Peninsula (Russia).
- Dimensions:
- Length: ~3 km.
- Width: ~15 km.
- Depth: 18 meters.
- Narrowest point: 3–5 km at the northern end of the Chushka Landspit.
- City of Kerch: Located near the center of the strait, on the Crimean side.
- Strategic Importance:
- Key global shipping route connecting the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov.
- Military & Political Significance:
- Became a focal point of conflict between Russia and Ukraine since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.
- Vital for trade and naval control in the region.
Kerch Strait Bridge (Crimean Bridge)
- Purpose: Links mainland Russia with Crimea.
- Construction: Completed in 2018.
- Structure: Includes both road and rail
- Length: 19 km – the longest bridge in Europe.
- Political Symbolism: Represents Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
THE TANKER ACCIDENT
- The Russian oil tanker Volgoneft 212 was 136 meters long and was carrying 15 crew members.
- During the storm, the tanker was split in half, with the front part (bow) sinking. Waves were seen washing over the deck, as shown in footage from state media.
- The Volgoneft 212 was built in 1969 and had run aground, which means it got stuck on the seabed.
- According to Russia’s water transport agency (Rosmorrechflot), the ship spilled petroleum products into the water during the incident.
- The Second Damaged Tanker
- A second tanker, the Volgoneft 239, was also damaged.
- This tanker was 132 meters long and had a crew of 14 people. It was built in 1973.
- After sustaining damage, the Volgoneft 239 was drifting in the storm.
- Both tankers were designed to carry around 4,200 tonnes of oil products
- The Impact and Response
- The exact cause of the damage or the extent of the oil spill was not provided by officials.
- However, it was clear that the storm caused serious trouble for both tankers.
- Rescue efforts: Over 50 people and various rescue equipment, including Mi-8 helicopters and rescue tugboats, were sent to help.
- The spill happened in the Kerch Strait, a busy waterway between mainland Russia and Crimea.
Details about the spilled oil:
- According to Russia’s Kommersant newspaper, the Volgoneft 212 was carrying about 4,300 tonnes of fuel oil when it split apart.
- Unverified video shared on Telegram showed the blackened water around the tanker and a half-submerged vessel in the stormy seas.
Casualties
- At least one person was confirmed dead due to the incident, though the exact cause of the death was not provided.
METHODS USED TO CLEAN OIL SPILLS
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