Plans underway for oil removal from sunken battleship Ilmarinen in Baltic Sea

Plans are underway to remove oil from the sunken battleship Ilmarinen, which sank over 80 years ago. Tommi Kontto, project manager at the Finnish Environment Institute, stated that the oil removal could begin next year. Small amounts of oil have been detected leaking from the wreck, which is estimated to contain around 100,000 liters of light fuel oil, posing a significant risk to marine wildlife.

The wreck is located 80 meters deep in the northeastern Baltic Sea, approximately 40 kilometers from Utö Island, where it sank after hitting a mine in September 1941. Research conducted last week explored the feasibility of safely emptying the tanks. “Our studies indicate that access to the tanks is possible without the need to clear mud, but working at such depths presents its own challenges,” Kontto mentioned in an interview with Radio Suomi.

The Finnish Environment Institute had previously sought commercial contractors for the wreck’s cleanup last February, intending to perform the task within this year. However, no suitable contractors were found, and a government-led removal is now being considered. This could involve a joint operation by the Finnish Environment Institute, the naval forces, and the coast guard, starting next year.

“The operation must be timed to ensure favorable weather conditions. Winter weather conditions are probably ruled out now,” Kontto explained. The wreck is currently lying hull-up on the seabed, with the tanks resting against the bottom. A hole will be drilled through the bottom to transport the oil via a hose to a waiting tank on the surface. Kontto noted that there have been similar operations in Finland’s maritime areas in recent years.

Additionally, the wreck contains lubricating oil, waste oil, and artillery shells, but the latter are positioned in a manner that should not interfere with the oil removal. “The operation will only focus on oil removal. The issue of ammunition will be addressed possibly at a later date,” Kontto concluded.