Fuel oil spill situation most complicated outside Taman port - Russian minister

ANAPA. Jan 13 (Interfax) - The fuel oil spill situation is the most complicated outside the Taman port in the Krasnodar Territory, where the damaged Volgoneft 239 tanker keeps leaking petroleum products, Russian Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov said at a meeting in Anapa on Sunday after he inspected the cleanup of the fuel oil spill in the Black Sea.

"An examination of the work scene shows that the situation is the most complicated outside the Taman port, where the damaged Volgoneft 239 tanker continues to leak into the sea," Kurenkov said.

He said at the meeting it was necessary to pump fuel oil out of the tanker's damaged part as soon as possible. "The leak must be stopped and fuel oil must be pumped out of the tanker aft very quickly," Kurenkov said.

He promised there would be no red tape in the allocation of everything necessary to clean up the fuel oil spill caused by the wreck of two tankers in the Black Sea.

"This is a federal emergency, which means that all resources necessary for its mitigation are available or will be provided shortly and without red tape," Kurenkov said.

He warned about possible dangers that might occur while plugging the fuel oil leak from the damaged Volgoneft 239 tanker outside the Taman port.

"It is important to comply with safety precautions when performing the work, taking into account the high probability of hazardous situations, including rock falls, flammability and toxicity of fuel oil," Kurenkov said.

Earlier on Sunday, the Russian Emergency Ministry's press service said that Kurenkov and members of the federal headquarters for response to the fuel oil spill in the Black Sea had come to Anapa. "Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov and members of the federal headquarters set up on the orders from Russian President Vladimir Putin have arrived in Anapa. The federal headquarters will be working at the emergency scene until the aftermath of the fuel oil spill is cleaned up completely," it said.

The headquarters includes representatives of various federal ministries and agencies tasked with making decisions on the ground, the press service said.

"The minister will personally inspect progress of the work done on the polluted coast round the clock and will chair a meeting of the government commission to discuss additional measures towards the soonest mitigation of the impact from the wreck of two tankers," the press service said.