A tanker was arrested in Novorossiysk for an oil spill.

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At the request of Rosprirodnadzor, the tanker Hanuman has been seized in the port of Novorossiysk. The damage from the oil spill is estimated at 40 million rubles.

The Black Sea-Azov Marine Department of Rosprirodnadzor has filed a request with the Arbitration Court of Krasnodar Krai to seize the vessel, which flies the flag of the Republic of Sierra Leone, and prohibit it from leaving the seaport of Novorossiysk until the shipowner is presented and compensated for the damage caused to the sea, the department wrote on its Telegram channel on April 25.

The court's claim The agency upheld the order and seized the vessel, prohibiting the port captain from issuing a permit for the vessel to depart. Furthermore, the Black Sea-Azov Marine Authority has until May 21 to file a claim for damages.

The oil spill occurred in late March, with environmental damage estimated at 40 million rubles. A demand for voluntary compensation was sent to the foreign shipowner, but it has not been fulfilled. If compensation is not provided within the specified timeframe, Rosprirodnadzor will seek compulsory recovery.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," two tankers carrying fuel oil sank in the Kerch Strait in December 2024. A crew member from one of the tankers died as a result. In addition, an oil spill occurred, leading to catastrophic environmental consequences, according to the "Caucasian Knot" report "Fuel Oil Spill in the Kerch Strait." On April 24 of this year, after booms broke due to rising water levels in the Tuapse River, an oil spill occurred into the Black Sea. Kuban authorities previously attributed the leak to heavy rains, without mentioning a breach of the barriers.