Tanker Explosion at Ust-Luga: Koala Incident Raises Safety Concerns

A tanker filled with fuel oil experienced an explosion and may have partially sunk at the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga, according to Russian sources. The security services-linked channel Baza reported that the tanker, named Koala, was preparing to leave Ust-Luga early Sunday morning when an explosion occurred in the engine room. Three blasts were reported as the vessel was getting ready to depart, prompting the 24 crew members to abandon ship and move to the pier.

The engine room flooded, causing the tanker to settle slowly by the stern until it touched the bottom. However, most of the ship remains afloat, and no pollution has been reported. Fortunately, none of the crew members were injured.

Conflicting information has emerged from official reports. Russia’s Marine and River Transport Agency stated that the tanker is not at risk of sinking and that its cargo tanks are intact. The regional governor of Leningrad described the explosions as a “man-made incident” during engine startup, asserting that the tanker is securely moored at the pier. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident.

The Koala is a Turkish-owned, Cypriot-managed Suezmax tanker with a capacity of 160 000 dwt. At 22 years old, it is past the typical retirement age for crude oil tankers and has changed its flag state four times in the past year. Its port state control inspection record indicates infrequent checks but no recent deficiencies.

This incident marks the second significant maritime casualty in Russia over the weekend, following the grounding of the Chinese bulker An Yang 2 on a rocky shoreline off Sakhalin in the Russian Far East on Saturday.

In response to the situation, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo announced that Finland is monitoring developments and has placed its oil spill response capabilities on alert as a precaution.