LPG tanker lists, leaks ammonia following onboard blast at Russia's Ust-Luga Port

Russia's Ministry of Transport has reported that an explosion occurred on an LPG tanker during cargo operations at the Port of Ust-Luga on Sunday, July 6.

The blast on the Marshall Islands-flagged Eco Wizard also resulted in water ingress and a leakage of ammonia that transport officials described as "minor." The ship then gradually began to list to port, which then caused some of the leaked ammonia to spill into the surrounding waters.

The tanker's 23-strong crew and nearby port personnel were evacuated without injury.

The Transport Ministry said that the Russian Marine Rescue Service's Baltic branch has been deployed and is on standby at the port.

The cause of the explosion remains unknown.

Various international news outlets have reported that Eco Wizard is the sixth tanker with a prior port call in Russia to suffer an onboard explosion since the beginning of this year.

Among the five other vessels are the Malta-flagged crude tanker Seajewel and the Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker Vilamoura.