New tanker control zone in Burgas because of air pollution

The authorities in Burgas are introducing a 35-kilometer security zone in the waters of the Burgas Bay, where waiting tankers will not be allowed, BTA reported. The measure is in response to growing public discontent over the strong smell of petroleum products in the city. The goal is to limit the evaporation of oil fractions and improve air quality in coastal settlements, the municipal administration points out.

The main user of petroleum products in the municipality - “Lukoil Neftochim Burgas”, works with a combination of light and heavy oil and part of the deliveries are carried out by transferring from ship to ship in open waters. For several weeks, this has been happening 35 km from the city.

The problem arises with tankers carrying light oil, which until now have been waiting just 3 km from the coast. According to experts, at high temperatures, this type of oil evaporates easily and in large quantities, which is the likely reason for the smell in the air of Burgas in recent weeks.