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At-Sea Transfer of Fuel

A Ship to ship transfer of fuel known as "lightering."
ZUMA Press, Inc.

Fuel Delivery to Communities

Communities in Arctic and Western Alaska rely on vessels to deliver the fuel that heats homes and runs equipment.

This fuel is delivered to remote communities by large ships which anchor offshore and transfer the fuel to smaller vessels.

Gas station in Nome Alaska.
P.A. Lawrence, LLC.

Although the companies that conduct at-sea transfers of fuel in this region have a good safety record, this process poses obvious risks. An accident could result in an oil spill, contaminating the marine environment.

In the Arctic, a major marine oil spill could have disastrous consequences for the region’s abundant birds, fish and marine mammals.

It could also have severe impacts on Indigenous residents who rely on wildlife as important sources of food and as a cornerstone of traditional cultural practices.

An aerial view of Humpback whale swimming through oil slick.
Wild Wonders of Europe / Carwardine

How is Fuel Transferred?

Fuel delivery in this region often involves a process called “lightering”—the at-sea transfer of fuel from a large tanker or barge to a smaller vessel. The smaller vessels are needed to navigate shallow coastal waters and rivers where communities are located.

Download the infographic →Tanker Lightering in Arctic Alaska

Ocean Conservancy

A Near Miss

In June 2016, a Norwegian tanker carrying more than 14 million gallons of fuel destined for Alaskan communities ran aground 10 miles off Nunivak Island. The accident was blamed on outdated nautical charts.

Fortunately, no one was hurt and no oil was spilled. But it was a close call and a warning about the potential for accidents related to fuel delivery.