Oman is working to contain an oil spill from the stranded tanker Caroline Bezengi off its southern coast. The Environment Authority said its latest analysis found the slick covered almost 400 square kilometres (150 square miles) and was within an estimated 7km (4.4 miles) of the coast.
The spill is concentrated around the Hallaniyat archipelago, a protected marine area established by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said last year. The reserve contains sensitive ecosystems, including coral reefs, turtle nesting areas and other marine habitats.
Authorities prepare a response
Oman’s Environment Authority said rapid action was needed to protect the area’s biodiversity. The state-backed Oman News Agency reported that authorities were conducting aerial surveillance and had deployed divers.
Officials are in the early stages of developing a plan to transfer the tanker’s oil cargo. The Transport Ministry said the aim is to reduce risks from the incident, maintain navigational safety and protect the marine environment.
What is known about the tanker
The Caroline Bezengi has been stranded since early June near Oman’s al-Qibliyyah Island, according to an investigation by the AFP news agency. The vessel was rocked by an explosion, which allowed water to enter several sections.
Ship-tracking data shows the tanker loaded at Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in April and passed through the Suez Canal at the end of May. Omani authorities have not identified the cause of the spill.
Estimates differ as concern grows
Greenpeace estimated the slick at about 600 square kilometres (230 square miles) last week, citing satellite imagery. Greenpeace and Dutch peace organisation PAX told AFP that the tanker was carrying around one million barrels of crude bound for Asia and warned that the spill was close to becoming an environmental disaster.
The tanker is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”, a group of vessels used to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. The Caroline Bezengi is subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Canada and Switzerland.
No comments yet. Start the discussion.