Tanker Grounds off Sakhalin, Spills Oil

A product tanker has run aground off Nevelsk on Sakhalin Island, Russia, spilling oil into the water.

The tanker Nadezhda was loaded with 786 tons of fuel oil and diesel fuel and the spill occurred after the hull and cargo tanks were breached. 

Rough conditions and strong winds have apparently contributed to the grounding which occurred while the vessel was en route from Nevelsk to Vanino in Russia.

The crew of eight are reported to be safe, and local authorities have dispatched two vessels and more than 100 people to help with the cleanup.

Responders have disposed around 105 cubic meters of contaminated sand. Further cleanup is expected to take at least two weeks. The oil remaining in the vessel’s tanks will be pumped out and the hull will be repaired before refloating. 

The pollution is not expected to reach Japan.