Oman Oil Spill From Grounded Tanker Reaches Mainland Beaches
Oil from the grounded Caroline Bezengi tanker has reached Oman's mainland coast, endangering protected marine areas.
Oman's Environment Authority confirmed on Wednesday that oil from a grounded tanker has now reached the country's mainland coastline, expanding an environmental crisis that had previously threatened an offshore island. The spill has contaminated beaches at Ras Madrakah, about 200 kilometers north of Qabiliyah Island, where the vessel ran aground.
The tanker, identified as the Caroline Bezengi, was carrying nearly 1 million barrels of crude oil when it reported an explosion in June. The ship is believed to be part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" and has been sanctioned by the British government and the European Union for transporting Russian oil. It departed from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May, according to geospatial data from SynMax Maritime.
No party has claimed responsibility for the incident, and the cause of the explosion remains undisclosed. Environmental experts say the spill has been spreading rapidly in recent weeks, driven by strong monsoon winds and currents. Recent satellite imagery shows the slick now covers more than 600 square kilometers, endangering a marine protected area near Qabiliyah Island.
Authorities have warned that the southern shores of Masirah Island, located over 300 kilometers north of the tanker's position, could be affected within hours. The vessel's owners are believed to be based in Shanghai. Oman, a sultanate on the southeastern Arabian Peninsula, has been involved in regional mediation efforts, though the spill adds a new environmental challenge for the country.