Photo: screenshort
The accident of Russian tankers in the Kerch Strait was the result of the negligence of the shipping companies’ management. Although a regional environmental disaster is not expected in the Black Sea, there will be a significant impact on the microflora. This was stated by Yevhen Khlobystov, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of the Crimean Tatar Resource Centre, in a commentary to Ukrinform.
Unusable tankers on winter waves
According to Khlobystov, more than 4,000 tonnes of fuel oil spilled into the sea due to damage to the hulls of the two tankers. He stressed that vessels of this type – Soviet-built river tankers – should not have been allowed to sail in the Kerch Strait in winter, which is known for strong storms and winds.
“One of the tankers had a licence for river-sea operation, but only under favourable weather conditions. These tankers, built 50 years ago in Volgograd, have long since reached the end of their useful life, and overhauling them would be economically unfeasible,” the expert said.
Impact on the Black Sea microflora
Although a major environmental disaster is not expected in the region, the microflora of the affected area will be affected. According to Khlobystov, the fuel oil will cover the bottom with a thin layer, which could harm the local ecosystem.
“In winter, the consequences are less critical than if the accident had occurred in summer. Due to its weight, the fuel oil will sink to the bottom, where it will enter the bottom layer. Due to the high currents in the Kerch Strait, it will be gradually distributed, which will minimise the environmental impact,” he explained.
Cause of the accident: management negligence
The expert believes that the incident was predictable and was the result of negligence on the part of the shipping companies’ managers: “These vessels should not have been operated in such conditions. Their going to sea in winter is the direct responsibility of the management.”
Further investigations should shed light on the causes of the accident and measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
