Kerch Strait, Black Sea, 19th December, 2024:- Responding to the sinking of two Russian oil tankers in the Kerch Strait on December 15th, resulting in a reported spill of around 4,000 tonnes of mazut, a low-grade heavy fuel oil, Dr Sian Prior, Lead Advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance said:
“In light of this week’s oil spills following oil tanker accidents in the Kerch Strait, the Clean Arctic Alliance is repeating calls to immediately prohibit the use and carriage of heavy fuel oil (HFO) in the Arctic. We are dismayed about the impact of the recent heavy fuel oil tanker accident in the Kerch Strait and cautions that this scenario – the use of antiquated vessels to transport heavy fuel oil during stormy conditions is an indicator of what could easily unfold in the Arctic. This accident demonstrates the inability of authorities to respond to heavy fuel oil accidents even in a region where there is considerable shipping, port facilities and resources – a spill would have far worse implications in the Arctic. All Arctic nations, including Russia, must urgently implement the full intent of the International Maritime Organization’s Arctic HFO ban, instead of hiding behind the waivers and exemptions that currently allow ongoing use of HFO as a result of loopholes in the July 2024 regulation.”
ENDS
Further reading:
- Why the Shipping Industry Must Seize Opportunity Posed by Arctic Heavy Fuel Oil Ban
- Everything You Need to Know About the Arctic Heavy Fuel Oil Ban
- The oil tanker accident in the Kerch Strait is another warning about the possibility of a repeat in the Russian Arctic – ru.bellona.org
- The Russian tanker disaster and an oil leak in Kerch Strait: What it means
Contact:
Dave Walsh, Communications Advisor, [email protected], +34 691 826 764
About the Clean Arctic Alliance
Made up of 24 not-for-profit organisations, the Clean Arctic Alliance campaigns to persuade governments to take action to protect the Arctic, its wildlife and its people.
Members include: Alaska Wilderness League, Bellona, Clean Air Task Force, Ecology and Development Foundation ECODES, Environmental Investigation Agency, Equal Routes, Eurasian Wildlife and Peoples, Friends of the Earth US, Global Choices, Green Global Future, Green Transition Denmark, Greenpeace, Iceland Nature Conservation Association, International Cryosphere Climate Initiative, Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union, 90 North Foundation, Ocean Conservancy, Pacific Environment, Seas At Risk, Surfrider Foundation Europe, Stand.Earth, Transport & Environment, WWF and Zero.
More more information visit https://www.cleanarctic.org/
