By : Georgiy Klyuyev
Marine Consultant
The exclusion of Russia from the IMO Council highlights the international community’s recognition of the negative impacts of Russian aggression on global shipping, ecology and food supply chains. This decision also minimizes Russia’s influence on shaping international maritime policies.
A Relic of the Soviet Era: “Volgo-Balt” Class Ships
The “Volgo-Balt” class ships symbolize the Soviet era of shipbuilding. Built during the 1960s and 1970s, these universal river-sea cargo ships once formed a key part of the USSR’s maritime logistics. However, today, they are outdated both morally and technically.
Despite their obsolescence, these ships continue to operate, often posing serious safety and environmental risks. Recent accidents off Ukraine’s coast have raised the pressing question: how many of these vessels are still in service?
A total of approximately 150 “Volgo-Balt” class ships were built. However, due to age and wear, many have either been decommissioned or involved in accidents.
December 2024: Twin Tanker Disasters in the Kerch Strait
Two Russian tankers, “Volgoneft-212” and “Volgoneft-239,” suffered catastrophic failures in December 2024 while transporting fuel oil under stormy conditions.
“Volgoneft-212”
Built: 1969 under Project 1577
Specifications:
Length – 132m,
Width – 16.9m,
Draft – 3.5m,
Displacement – 6477 tons,
Deadweight – 4125 tons
Cargo: 4250 tons of fuel oil
Incident: On December 15, 2024, the hull sustained severe damage and broke apart near Cape Takil in the southern Kerch Strait. Out of 13 crew members, 12 were rescued, while one succumbed to hypothermia.
“Volgoneft-239”
Built: 1973 under the same project
Cargo: Approximately 4300 tons of fuel oil
Incident: On the same day, the bow sustained damage 8km from shore, causing the vessel to drift and eventually ground near Cape Panagia, 80m from the shore. All 14 crew members were rescued.
Accountability: Beyond the Captain
Russia, under the Protocol on the Protection of the Black Sea against Pollution (Bucharest Convention of 1992), is obligated to minimize environmental damage. Yet, in practice, it is often the affected countries, such as Ukraine in this case, that bear the brunt of the costs.
Relevant International Treaties:
Bucharest Convention, 1992: Focused on the prevention, reduction, and control of Black Sea pollution.
MARPOL 73/78: The principal international treaty aimed at preventing marine pollution from ships.
While Russia has ratified these treaties, adherence to their provisions appears questionable.
The twin tanker incidents have resulted in significant oil spills, presenting severe environmental threats to the Black Sea.
Russia’s Investigative Committee has launched criminal cases for violations of maritime safety and operational regulations. If non-compliance with international standards is proven, Russia may face obligations under international law, including compensation for damages and implementing preventive measures.
Negligence or Crime?
Experts highlight that suitability documents for these vessels were issued by the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RMRS), which, under international practice, is expected to rigorously monitor fleet conditions. However, inspections are often reported to be superficial, with corruption potentially influencing certification processes.
Systemic Fleet Degradation
Despite their advanced age, “Volgo-Balt” ships remain a key tool for transporting shadow cargoes in the Black and Azov Seas.
Open AIS tracker data reveals that both “Volgoneft-212” and “Volgoneft-239” were actively operating over the past three years between Novorossiysk, Kerch, and Turkish ports, often carrying petroleum and bulk goods.
These routes frequently traverse high-risk zones where weather conditions can rapidly deteriorate, and infrastructure is often overwhelmed or compromised.
Environmental and Economic Impact
The tanker spills have caused widespread contamination along the Black Sea coast. Clean-up efforts are underway but are largely carried out by local communities and volunteers rather than official agencies such as emergency services or coast guards. This grassroots response underscores the gravity of the situation.
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Winter Worsens the Crisis
Environmental experts warn that in winter, the decomposition of pollutants slows significantly, exacerbating the ecological and economic fallout.
The fishing and tourism industries in coastal states already face mounting challenges.
International Response
The Black Sea remains a zone of heightened international interest. Maritime safety issues are governed not only by MARPOL but also by SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea). If negligence by Russian regulators is established, the case could escalate to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other global bodies.
Greenpeace and other organizations have called for independent investigations to verify compliance with MARPOL and related treaties.
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Conclusion: A Preventable Tragedy
The “Volgo-Balt” tanker disasters are not just isolated incidents but part of a broader systemic failure in Russian maritime practices. Cost-cutting on fleet modernization, superficial regulatory oversight, and poorly trained crews create a dangerous precedent.
International oversight must intensify, and Russia must implement robust measures to prevent future incidents.
Without decisive action, ecological and human tragedies will continue, threatening regional and global maritime ecosystems.
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I appreciate that this article highlights a critically important issue that subsequently contributes to global warming. Thank you, Georgiy, for addressing this catastrophe, which directly impacts the future of our planet!
Thanks for your kind words