Oil disaster in the Kerch Strait: Russia's shadow fleet under observation

A severe storm over the weekend led to a consequential oil disaster in the Kerch Strait when two aging Russian tankers were heavily damaged. Authorities are now trying to contain the environmental consequences. The incident underscores the risks posed by Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet.' Tragically, the accident resulted in the death of a crew member of the Volgoneft 212, while 12 colleagues were rescued. The 14-member crew of the Volgoneft 239 was also safely brought ashore after the ship ran aground near the port of Taman. The extent of the oil spill is still unclear, but the tankers from 1969 and 1973 were carrying a total of around 9,200 tons of oil products. If extensive insurance claims follow, the amount is not yet foreseeable. Recently, concerns about the risks of hundreds of 'shadow' tankers in open shipping lanes have grown. These ships often do not adhere to environmentally friendly standards and are used to circumvent international sanctions. Just last month, out of 369 ships transporting Russian oil, 206 exported on unofficial routes. President Vladimir Putin promptly called for the establishment of a working group to coordinate rescue efforts and mitigate the aftermath of the incident.