Oman Demands Removal of Polluting Tanker from Coastline
Omani authorities have issued an urgent demand for the removal of the tanker CAROLINE BEZENGI from its current location off the coast of Oman. The vessel, which ran aground in a protected marine reserve, poses a significant environmental risk due to heavy seas and the potential release of tens of thousands of tons of oil into the ocean.
The archipelago where the tanker is located is home to rare coral reefs, nesting sites for several species of sea turtles, and is an important stopover for migratory birds. Any confirmed oil spill could cause significant environmental damage to this sensitive ecosystem.
Sanctions and Investigations
CAROLINE BEZENGI’s nominal owner is Rentoor Shipmanagement, a company registered in Shanghai. As The Insider previously established, the tanker is part of a group of vessels linked to Lagosmarine Ltd., a Cypriot company that has regularly transported Russian oil from Primorsk, Ust-Luga, and Kozmino to India and China.
The investigation found that CAROLINE BEZENGI’s routes coincided with oil deliveries that Dubai-based companies linked to Latvian national Aleksejs Halavins were purchasing from Surgutneftegas at prices above the $60-per-barrel price cap set by the G7 countries. Lagosmarine Ltd was subsequently sanctioned by the United States and Ukraine.
The tanker itself is also under sanctions, with restrictions imposed on it by the European Union (Oct. 24, 2025), Switzerland and Ukraine (both on Dec. 13, 2025), the United Kingdom (Feb. 24, 2026), and Canada (March 25, 2026).
Environmental Risks and Consequences
The potential release of oil from CAROLINE BEZENGI could have devastating environmental consequences for Oman‘s coastline. The country’s marine reserve is a critical habitat for several species of sea turtles, and any confirmed oil spill could cause significant damage to this ecosystem.
In addition to the environmental risks, the incident highlights the ongoing issue of sanctions evasion and the need for effective enforcement mechanisms to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
Original Article: Tanker from The Insider’s shadow fleet investigation runs aground after mysterious explosions, polluting Oman’s coastline with oil — Theins