Black Sea cleanup: Fuel oil extraction from crashed Russian tanker to conclude in two weeks

Fuel oil from the tanker Volgoneft-239, which crashed in the Black Sea, will be pumped out by late January, said the Russian Ministry of Transport in its official Telegram channel.

Specialists have completed the construction of a temporary road to the wreck site and are finishing capping the hull to start pumping out fuel oil from the tanks, Caliber.Az reports, citing Russian media.

“It will be pumped out within two weeks, the work will be completed by the end of January,” the ministry concluded.

To recall, on December 15, 2024, two Russian tankers, Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239, were involved in a tragic accident in the Kerch Strait, which caused a significant environmental disaster. The tankers, carrying about 9,200 tons of fuel oil, collided in the narrow strait under hazardous weather conditions. The two vessels were reported to be operating in violation of seasonal navigation restrictions. The Volgoneft-212 suffered a catastrophic split and sank, while the Volgoneft-239 sustained severe damage and ran aground near the port of Taman.

One crew member from the Volgoneft-212 tanker was confirmed dead on the day of the accident, while the remaining crew members were safely evacuated.

Both tankers, which were carrying significant amounts of fuel, were struck by powerful waves approximately 8 kilometres from shore, causing cracks in their hulls and leading to the vessels splitting in two. 

Tragically, one crew member lost his life in the incident, and others were rescued. However, the crash led to a massive oil spill, with around 3,700 tons of oil leaking into the Black Sea, creating a large oil slick. The spill threatened marine life and caused a major ecological crisis in the region. Both tankers' captains were later charged for failing to take necessary precautions during the storm, as other vessels had successfully found safe harbour before the storm's arrival.

By Khagan Isayev