The crude oil tanker "Koala" (Suezmax, 164,000 DWT), loaded with around 130,000 tonnes of heavy oil, has partially sunk after an explosion on board in the important Russian Baltic Sea oil port of Ust-Luga. This was reported by Russian media in February. The 24 crew members were evacuated unharmed.
A water ingress in the engine room caused the tanker to partially sink to the bottom. However, part of the ship remained afloat and the cargo tanks were undamaged. According to the regional governor of Leningrad, the explosions were a "man-made incident" when starting the engines. According to Marinetraffic, the tanker is currently anchored in Ust-Luga and the cause of the accident is being investigated.
Koala" at the pier in Ust-Luga: Photo: Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations/Baza
The news reports on where exactly the ship was at the time of the explosions are contradictory. It says "in the harbour" with a picture at the pier, other reports show the "Koala" already "at sea", e.g. a Ukrainian medium: Tanker carrying 130,000 tonnes of heating oil sinks in the Leningrad region
According to the Maritime Executive, the 22-year-old KOALA is Turkish-owned and has changed flags four times in the past year. The ship is currently sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda. The port state control inspection reports show that the tanker has only been inspected infrequently; however, no deficiencies have been reported recently.
Nevertheless, all the evidence points to the ship being part of the so-called Russian shadow fleet. And it is not reassuring that the oil tanker was already damaged while making ready to sail into the Baltic Sea.
kdk, The Maritime Executive
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