Explosion damages ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in Russian port

Source: Meduza

The tanker Koala, carrying 130,000 tons of fuel oil, was damaged by an explosion in port in Russia’s Leningrad region in the early hours of February 9, the Telegram channel Baza reported.

According to the channel, three explosions occurred in the ship’s engine room, causing it to take on water. The 24-member crew made it safely to shore, and by morning, the vessel had run aground by the stern.

Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko described the event as a “technical incident during engine startup.” He said the engine room was damaged but emphasized that the tanker remained moored and posed no risk of an oil spill.

Russia's Federal Maritime and River Transport Agency confirmed that an explosion occurred in the engine room “while preparing the main engine for operation.” The agency said the cargo tanks were undamaged and that no fuel leaks or spills had occurred.

The independent news outlet Agentstvo noted that Koala is on the list as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, compiled by the environmental organization Greenpeace in October 2024. Russia has used the fleet to transport oil while circumventing sanctions.

other incidents

Two Russian tankers wreck in Kerch Strait storm, killing one sailor and risking ‘one of largest environmental disasters’ ever in Black Sea

Why is it
important
to support
Meduza
now?Read here

Explosion damages ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in Russian port

Two Russian tankers wreck in Kerch Strait storm, killing one sailor and risking ‘one of largest environmental disasters’ ever in Black Sea

{{ header_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{#is_light}}{{ title }} {{ second_title }}{{/is_light}}{{^is_light}}{{ title }} {{ second_title }}{{/is_light}}

{{ title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }}

{{ second_title }}

Explosion damages ‘shadow fleet’ oil tanker in Russian port

Two Russian tankers wreck in Kerch Strait storm, killing one sailor and risking ‘one of largest environmental disasters’ ever in Black Sea

{{{ alt }}}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{#is_light}}{{ title }} {{ second_title }}{{/is_light}}{{^is_light}}{{ title }} {{ second_title }}{{/is_light}}

{{ title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }}

{{ title }} {{ second_title }}

{{ title }}

{{ second_title }}