Salvage Effort Underway for Stricken Tanker Spilling Oil Off Oman

A salvage operation is being coordinated for a tanker that has been leaking Russian crude into the Arabian Sea off Oman's coast, marking one of the most significant oil spills in recent years.

Risk management firm Ambrey stated on Thursday that it is leading the response to secure the Caroline Bezengi tanker. The vessel ran aground on June 30 following an apparent attack, and the resulting oil slick has been spreading largely unchecked for weeks. On Wednesday, Omani authorities confirmed the slick had begun to reach the country's coastline.

Ambrey has brought in a leading international oil spill response company to assist with the operation. The response includes salvage vessels, aircraft, and specialists, with 100 tons of equipment deployed. The company did not provide a timeline for the operation but noted that the annual monsoon season in the region is complicating salvage efforts.

The Caroline Bezengi was carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of Russian oil and is part of a fleet under international sanctions. The vessel is grounded near an Omani marine nature reserve that is home to wildlife, including humpback whales and Socotra cormorants.

Oman's agriculture, fisheries, and water resources ministry said it is monitoring the impact of the spill on marine life and local fish products to ensure they remain safe for market. Authorities have advised fishermen to avoid the spill area and report any unusual smells or changes in the water or marine life.

The tanker's journey began in April from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a flashpoint in the Russia-Ukraine war. It passed through the Suez Canal in late May before sailing past Yemen, where Houthi militants have been active in the wider regional conflict. The vessel first reported difficulties off Yemen on June 8 after what maritime sources described as a possible blast. No party has claimed responsibility for the incident.