The Ministry of Transport has launched an inspection of the entire Russian tanker fleet

The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation is launching an inspection of the Russian tanker fleet on the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was reported in the press service of the ministry on February 5.

"In pursuance of the order of the President of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of Russia is organizing inspection activities in respect of shipping companies operating tanker fleet vessels", - stated in the message of the Ministry of Transport in Telegram-channel.

It is noted that Rostransnadzor was entrusted with carrying out the measures. During the inspection will be assessed compliance with legal entities and individual entrepreneurs mandatory requirements for the transportation of oil and petroleum products.

According to the agency, about 500 companies of sea and inland transport, which operate tankers, will be checked. It specified that the measures will be completed before the start of navigation in 2025.

"The Ministry of Transport of Russia will conduct a comprehensive revision of the regulatory framework governing the transportation of oil and petroleum products by sea and inland water transport," the ministry added.

Command to the ships: Putin ordered an audit of the tanker fleet

Another 300 tons of fuel oil spilled after the disaster in the Black Sea are planned to be pumped out next week.

The Russian leader gave the order to audit the tanker fleet on January 23. Putin pointed out the need for a comprehensive audit of the regulatory framework that governs the sea and river transportation of oil and petroleum products, violations of navigation rules and safety of navigation.

Tankers "Volgoneft-212" and "Volgoneft-239" due to bad weather crashed in the Kerch Strait on December 15, 2024. The incident resulted in a spill of oil products. 27 people were evacuated from both vessels, one person died. On Putin's instructions, a working group was set up to coordinate work to eliminate the consequences of the emergency.

Two days later, by the morning of December 17, oil products reached the shores of Anapa and Temryuksky district, and then Crimea. On December 26, a federal state of emergency was declared. On January 9, the Russian President called the fuel oil spill in the Black Sea one of the most serious environmental challenges for the country in recent years.