Oil spills In Kerch Strait from Vajirao & Reddy Institute

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.

• A strait is a narrow waterway that connects two larger bodies of water, separating two land masses.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• At least one person was confirmed dead due to the incident, though the exact cause of the death was not provided.