- The sinking of two Russian oil tankers in the Kerch Strait on December 15th caused a significant spill of around 4,000 tonnes of mazut, a low-grade heavy fuel oil.
- Dr. Sian Prior, Lead Advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, emphasized the urgency of banning the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic to prevent similar disasters.
- The incident highlights the risks of transporting HFO with outdated vessels in dangerous conditions, especially given the challenges of responding to spills in remote areas like the Arctic.
- Dr. Prior called on Arctic nations, including Russia, to fully implement the International Maritime Organization’s Arctic HFO ban without relying on exemptions and waivers that undermine its effectiveness.
According to Clean Arctic Alliance, the recent oil spill resulting from the sinking of two antiquated Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait highlights the dangers of transporting heavy fuel oil under hazardous conditions. Around 4,000 tonnes of mazut were released into the marine environment, demonstrating the severe consequences of such accidents.
The Clean Arctic Alliance’s Response
Dr. Sian Prior, representing the Clean Arctic Alliance, expressed deep concern over the incident, cautioning that similar scenarios could unfold in the Arctic with potentially catastrophic implications. The reliance on outdated vessels for HFO transport underscores the urgent need for stricter safety measures.
Challenges of Spill Response
Despite occurring in a relatively accessible area with existing port facilities and resources, the Kerch Strait spill underscored the inadequacy of current response mechanisms for heavy fuel oil spills. These challenges would be exponentially greater in the Arctic’s remote and sensitive environment.
Call for Immediate Action
The Clean Arctic Alliance reiterated its demand for a total ban on the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in the Arctic. Dr. Prior urged Arctic nations to close regulatory loopholes and implement the International Maritime Organization’s HFO ban in full, without relying on exemptions or waivers, to safeguard the region from similar disasters.
Further information on the Clean Arctic Alliance’s advocacy and the implications of HFO use can be found on their official website.
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Source: Clean Arctic Alliance
