In 2007, North-West Department of Rosprirodnadzor fined 17 companies blamed for oil spills within the water area of the port during bunkering operations, PortNews IAA learnt from Interdepartmental Committee on coordination of activities related to transfer of oil products (St. Petersburg Government). The total amount was RUR 3.3 million. According to the Committee, the hike of fines did not result in any decrease of oil spill number.
Only one spill occurred during oil transshipment operation while the rest of cases happened during bunkering operations with an accepting side to blame as a rule, the Committee informed. The scale of oil spills are not critical (100-150 liters) while contamination of the water area by waste water discharges (materials on TPP-14 are handed over to the prosecutor’s office).
According to the data of PortNews IAA, there are over 30 bunkering companies operation in the port. Bunker sales totaled 1.9 million tonnes in 2007.