Oman’s environment authority reported on Wednesday that a spreading oil spill from a grounded tanker has reached the country’s mainland beaches. The leak originated from the Caroline Bezengi, a 247-meter (899-foot) vessel that has been partially submerged off the coast of Qabiliyah Island since reporting an explosion in June.
While the vessel was initially identified as a threat to a local marine protected area near the island, officials confirmed that contamination has now traveled approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) to the north, impacting the beaches of Ras Madrakah. Authorities further warned that the southern coastlines of Masirah Island, located over 300 kilometers (185 miles) from the wreck, could face impacts in the coming hours.
The Caroline Bezengi, which was carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil at the time of the incident, is widely considered part of Russia's so-called “shadow fleet.” The vessel is currently under sanctions from both the British government and the European Union for its role in transporting Russian oil. Geospatial data from SynMax Maritime indicates the tanker departed from the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May. While the vessel’s ownership is believed to be based in Shanghai, no party has officially claimed responsibility for the explosion, and the specific cause remains undisclosed.
Satellite imagery suggests the spill has expanded to cover an area exceeding 600 square kilometers (231 square miles). Environmental experts note that the slick is spreading rapidly due to strong winds and monsoon season currents. Oman, a sultanate situated on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, has historically acted as a mediator in ongoing regional conflicts, including the war in Iran that commenced on February 28.
