Sunflower oil spill detected in the Black Sea after Russian strike on Pivdennyi port area. Port waters closed
Oily slicks have been detected on the surface of the Black Sea in the Odesa district following damage to sunflower oil storage tanks caused by Russian attacks on 20 December. Part of the vegetable oil spilled onto the company’s premises, adjacent roadways and into the estuary, with further outflow into the open sea, Odesa Region Military Administration head Oleg Kiper said.
The fire that broke out at the facility was extinguished.
“During the first two days after the strike, the port was under continuous enemy attacks, so spill containment works could only be carried out partially — exclusively during breaks between air raid alerts and in full compliance with all safety requirements for personnel. During this period, specialists gradually installed boom barriers. Immediately after the contamination was detected, all relevant emergency services were promptly involved in mitigation efforts,” Kiper said.
Environmental authorities are currently monitoring water quality and assessing environmental damage. The coastline has been cordoned off, and additional pumps have been deployed.
To prevent further spread of pollution, the Pivdennyi Sea Port Authority has blocked the port channel with two layers of boom barriers. Specialized vessels and pollution-response ships have been engaged to collect contaminants from the water surface.
The water area of Pivdennyi port has been temporarily closed until the consequences of the sunflower oil spill are fully eliminated.
- On December 20, a Russian strike damaged the Allseeds vegetable oil transshipment terminal, resulting in the loss of thousands of tons of sunflower oil. One person was killed in that attack.
