MOSCOW, March 24. /TASS/. The first batch of fuel oil totaling about 30,000 metric tons was evacuated from the Koala tanker after the explosion in her engine room in the port of Ust-Luga, the Federal Agency for Maritime and River Transport of Russia, Rosmorrechflot, informed
"Almost 30,000 metric tons of fuel oil were pumped out from the damaged Koala tanker in the seaport of Ust-Luga. The first batch of fuel oil was evacuated to oil terminal tanks," the authority said.
The second stage of fuel oil pumping will begin on March 25. Fuel oil was warmed to plastic condition for pumping and ship systems supports its average temperature up to 31 degrees Celsius.
"Prior to evacuation start, rescuers fully sealed hull damages, disassembled and repair mechanisms and motors, and prepared fuel oil unloading support systems for the start," the regulator said.