Oman Oil Spill From Sanctioned Tanker Spreads Across 390 Sq Km

An oil slick from a sanctioned tanker carrying Russian crude has spread across roughly 390 square kilometres of sea off Oman's coast, according to the country's Environment Authority. The disclosure, made on Monday, marks the first public assessment of the spill's environmental impact.

The slick extends northeast of the Hallaniyat Islands, located off the southern governorate of Dhofar, and at its closest point comes within an estimated seven kilometres of the shoreline. The authority's analysis, which included satellite imagery, confirmed the scale of the contamination.

The vessel involved, the 274-metre Caroline Bezengi, first reported difficulties on June 8 off the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla. Maritime security sources indicated that initial assessments suggested a blast occurred onboard. The ship last transmitted a signal on public AIS tracking on June 11 off the coast of Yemen.

The cause of the damage remains unclear, and Omani authorities have not offered an explanation. Shipping data shows the tanker was loaded with Russian crude before the voyage.

The European Union and Britain have sanctioned the Caroline Bezengi for its alleged role in transporting fuels from Russia. The vessel is part of what is often described as Russia's shadow fleet — ageing, poorly maintained tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports.

Independent analysis of satellite imagery and shipping data indicates the spill was still spreading at the end of last month, intensifying concerns about potential environmental damage to marine life and coastal areas in the region.