Volgoneft 212 sinking and oil spill; Kerch Strait
Kerch Straight, Russia | 2024-Dec-15
Initial Notification: 15 Dec 2024 Volgoneft 212, a Russian-flagged tanker, sank approximately 5nm south of the Kerch Strait in the northern Black Sea during a severe storm. The tanker was carrying 4,300 tonnes of low-grade heavy fuel oil. Thick black oil has impacted 15 nautical miles of beachfront near the town of Anapa. Another Russian vessel, Volgoneft 239 ran aground near Taman during the same storm. It is unclear if this vessel is spilling oil. US Department of State requested assistance from NOAA ORR ERD.
Incident Details
| Primary threat: | Oil |
| Products of concern: | Heavy crude oil |
| Total amount at risk of spill: | 4300 cubic meters |
| Latitude (approximate): | 45° 5.05′ North |
| Longitude (approximate): | 36° 34.28′ East |