After being towed to Novorossiysk, the Aframax Rio still poses a threat to the coast.
The captain of the port of Novorossiysk has ordered the owner of the Aframax Rio tanker to ensure the safety of the vessel, as the anchorage is unsafe during a storm, and to monitor the ship's list. Emissions of oil products are being recorded near Novorossiysk.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", the authorities' statements about the absence of oil emissions after the fire on the Aframax Rio tanker are premature; coastal pollution is inevitable, ecologists believe. The "Transparent World" project is recording oil spots along the coast of Kuban, and volunteers are finding soiled birds on the beaches. In Novorossiysk, minor emissions of oil products have been discovered along the coastline. Their composition and origin are being determined, and samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, the Kuban operational headquarters reported. Volunteers report finding fuel oil at several locations.
On the evening of October 6, a fire broke out on the oil tanker Aframax Rio in the Black Sea near Sochi, after which beaches in Sirius were closed, and access to the embankments and beaches in Sochi was restricted. On October 7, the Ministry of Transport confirmed that the fire started after an attack by unmanned boats. Subsequently, the authorities reported that no sea pollution was recorded after the fire on the Aframax Rio. Ecologists confirmed that there are currently no emissions on the shores, suggesting that the oil tanks are likely undamaged.
After the fire on the tanker, volunteers conducted spot monitoring of the coastline. "The situation in the Anapa region is currently stable. The authorized services of the city have initiated the working process. Everything is under control, and no additional resources are required at this time," summarized the "Volunteers of SSL" in their Telegram channel.
Volunteers also reported that "the work of the services on the shores of Anapa is ongoing, including in hard-to-reach areas near the steps."
The Telegram channel "Novorossiysk not news NNN" published a video, the author of which claims to have filmed emissions on the beach of Southern Ozeroevka.
"The Alexino beach is covered in fuel oil," says another message.
Ecologist Georgy Kavanosyan pointed out the risks. According to him, the tanker has listed but is standing in the port, waiting for its turn to unload.
"Something needs to be done about pumping oil products from the tanker. And quickly," he noted, emphasizing that there are risks associated with the expected worsening of the weather.
The captain of the port of Novorossiysk has ordered the owner of the Aframax Rio tanker to ensure the safety of the vessel.
The company Rio Enterprises must have tugs on duty near the tanker around the clock, constantly monitor the condition of the hull, and engage professional rescuers. There is no crew on the vessel, power is turned off, fire detection, firefighting, and bilge systems are not operational, as well as the main mechanisms. Anchoring at anchorage No. 415 is unsafe during a storm, reports BFM "Kuban".
"The owner is required to monitor the list, trim, and draft, ensure water pumping and hull sealing, as well as measures against cargo leakage and oil product spills. The captain of the port must be informed of compliance; the order is valid until October 31, 2026," the publication states.