Oil from the tanker Caroline Bezengi has reached Oman’s coastline, the country’s Environment Authority said on Wednesday. The spill, which began after the vessel ran aground offshore, now covers more than 2,000 square kilometres, according to satellite imagery reviewed by oil-spill specialist John Amos.
The authority said beaches near Ras Madrakah had been affected and warned that up to 40km of coastline could be impacted. The southern beaches of Masirah Island could also be contaminated in the coming hours.
Where the pollution has spread
The slick is concentrated around the Hallaniyat Archipelago off Oman’s southern coast. The area includes a marine reserve established last year to protect sensitive ecosystems, including rare sea turtles.
Oman’s Environment Authority said pollution could affect a 10–20km stretch of Masirah Island’s coastline. The island lies 15km offshore, while the affected Ras Madrakah area is about 200km from the tanker’s reported grounding location near Sharbithat.
Related coverage: Oil spill from stranded tanker spreads off southern Oman.
How the tanker became stranded
The Caroline Bezengi was travelling from Russia to India when its crew reported a suspected explosion on June 8. British maritime security company Vanguard told AFP that the vessel suffered explosions off Yemen, allowing water to enter several sections before it later ran aground off Oman.
Reuters reported that the tanker ran aground on June 30 while carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of sanctioned oil. It had been stranded near Oman’s al-Qibliyyah Island for several weeks as the crude continued to spread toward shore.
Why the spill matters
Greenpeace warned last week that the leak was close to becoming an environmental disaster. Christopher D’Elia, an oil-spill specialist and professor emeritus at Louisiana State University, described the estimated cargo as a fairly large spill and said the absence of a clearly responsible party could complicate cleanup financing.
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization said it was closely monitoring the leakage. Oman said it was working to contain the spill, while the Environment Authority continued assessing the affected coastline.
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