The main sources of contaminants in the Barents Sea are outside the region (introduced through long-range transport), accidental releases from local activities, and ship fuel emissions.
Transport of oil and other petroleum products from ports and terminals in northwestern Russia have been increasing over the last decade. In the next decade, the total available capacity from Russian Arctic oil export terminals will increase greatly. The risk of oil tanker accidents will therefore increase in the years to come, unless concomitant measures are taken to reduce such risk.
