Oil Spill Threatens Oman’s Protected Waters

A sanctioned tanker carrying crude oil has left a significant trail of oil in protected waters off the coast of Oman. Satellite images show an oil sheen covering around 20 square kilometers near Dhofar’s Qibliyah Island, part of Oman’s Hallaniyat Islands. Oil patches have also reached the shoreline, raising fears of a more extensive spill due to rough weather conditions.

Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert with the Dutch peace organization PAX, highlighted concerns about the vessel potentially breaking apart due to monsoon winds and rough seas.

The imagery indicates an increase in oil coming out, as the size of the sheen is growing, said Zwijnenburg.

The 899-foot tanker, Caroline Bezengi, has been stranded off Oman’s southern coast since June. Its crew reported an onboard explosion after the vessel ran into trouble near the Yemeni port of Mukalla on June 8. The cause of the disruption remains unconfirmed.

Ship-tracking data revealed that the tanker loaded Russian crude oil at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. The vessel is part of a sanctioned fleet accused of transporting Russian oil despite Western sanctions. The European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland have sanctioned the vessel.

The Caroline Bezengi is estimated to carry over 800,000 barrels of crude oil. Recent imagery suggests at least one section has been breached. The vessel’s listing condition adds to concerns about a potential break-up.

This spill poses a threat to a marine reserve in the Arabian Sea, home to rare wildlife. Greenpeace Germany warned about the ongoing pollution of the coastline and damage to the fragile ecosystem.

There is a serious risk of a larger oil disaster, with devastating consequences for the region’s coastlines and marine ecosystems, said Nina Noelle of Greenpeace Germany.

The U.N.’s International Maritime Organization is monitoring the situation. The organization stated that the vessel has not yet broken apart, but authorities are assessing safety and environmental risks. Oman’s Ministry of Transport ordered the removal of the ship and cargo by July 23. It is unclear if this directive has been met.