A series of explosions yesterday in the engine room of a 22-year-old suezmax at the Russian Baltic port of Ust-Luga has put neighbour Finland on alert.
The Turkish-owned Koala tanker, laden with 130,000 tonnes of heavy fuel oil, was about to set off from Ust-Luga when three explosions ripped through the engine room, forcing the crew to evacuate.
As the engine room flooded, the vessel’s stern sank to rest on the seabed.
Russian officials maintained there has been no oil spill to date, but Finland put its oil spill response capabilities on alert as a precautionary measure.
