Russian port of Ust-Luga begins inspecting ships after series of tanker explosions

A Russian port in the Baltic Sea has ordered ship hulls to be inspected before allowing them to dock. The decision was made in the wake of a series of explosions on tankers bound for Russia.

 Bloomberg reported, citing informed sources.

The decision to begin inspecting the underwater parts of ships was made earlier this month. The Ust-Luga port also insists that ships arriving at the port must have Russian insurance against risks, including spills and collisions.

Recall that earlier in the Russian Federation it was decided that every ship heading to Russian seaports from abroad must obtain permission to enter from the FSB. However, the decision to inspect ships in Ust-Luga was made before Putin’s order was issued, and other Russian ports are not currently using this approach, the publication’s sources noted.

Earlier this year, the first explosion on an oil tanker occurred in Ust-Luga. In February, the tanker Koala, anchored in the port, was damaged in a “man-made incident” that resulted in an oil spill. In mid-July, another tanker, the Eco Wizard, reported an ammonia leak while anchored in the same port.

These incidents led to increased security measures in ports, in line with recommendations from the Russian Security Council. As a result, shipowners began checking the hulls of their vessels for mines using divers and special underwater vehicles.

USM previously reported that foreign oil tankers had been temporarily banned from loading at Russia’s main Black Sea ports.