Crude Oil Tanker Koala Runs Aground After Engine Explosions

On February 9, the crude oil tanker Koala, carrying 130,000 tons of oil, ran aground at Ust-Luga Port, Russia, following three explosions in its engine room. Fortunately, no casualties or environmental pollution resulted from the incident.

The explosions occurred in the early morning as the Koala was departing the port. All 24 crew members, consisting of 4 Russians, 8 Georgians, and 12 Indonesians, safely evacuated and reached the pier without harm. The explosions led to water flooding the engine room, causing the vessel to become grounded.

The Governor of Leningrad described the event as a “man-made incident” that happened during the engine startup. Authorities confirmed that the ship remains securely moored at the pier with no risk of an oil spill. An official investigation is currently in progress to determine the exact cause of the incident.

The Koala, built in 2023, sails under the Antigua and Barbuda flag. It measures 274.18 meters in length, 50 meters in width, and has a gross tonnage of 84,598.