Environmental Crisis Unfolds in Oman
A critical environmental crisis is unfolding off the coast of Oman, where a tanker vessel, subject to international sanctions for transporting Russian oil, has been drifting slowly in a protected marine area.
The Caroline Bezengi, a 274-meter-long Suezmax-type tanker, has been anchored near Kibhaliya Island in Dofar Province for weeks. Recent satellite images show the situation deteriorating rapidly.
According to the Associated Press and estimates by Greenpeace Germany, the oil spill has expanded from approximately 20 square kilometers to around 150 square kilometers over a period of about one week.
The thin surface slick now stretches nearly 90 kilometers long, while thicker oil deposits have reached the southern and western shores of the island.
Tanker Under Sanctions for Russian Oil
The Caroline Bezengi is not an ordinary tanker. The British government added it to its list of sanctioned vessels on February 24, 2026, citing credible reasons to believe that the ship has been involved in transporting oil or petroleum products of Russian origin from Russia to third countries.
The tanker is also under sanctions by the European Union, Canada, and Switzerland.
Prior to its latest voyage, the vessel was spotted at Novorossiysk in the Black Sea, one of Russia’s main oil export hubs. Satellite tracking data shows that it had loaded Russian oil before heading south. The last public AIS signal was recorded on June 11 off Yemen.
Estimated Oil Quantity
The exact amount of oil remaining on board has not been disclosed. Experts analyzing satellite data estimate that the tanker may have carried more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil, with previous estimates suggesting a possible load of nearly one million barrels.
This does not mean that the entire cargo has spilled into the sea. However, the size and rapid expansion of the slick are causing growing concern about the worsening situation.
Protected Ecosystem at Risk
The greatest concern surrounds the area where the incident is unfolding. The waters around Kibhaliya form part of a protected marine area in the Arabian Sea.
This region is home to rare species of wildlife, including seabirds and the critically endangered Arabian Sea humpbacked dolphins. The spread of oil into coastal ecosystems poses not only immediate mortality risks for animals but also long-term impacts on food chains.
The fact that the oil spill is expanding within a protected area transforms this incident into a matter of much greater environmental significance than a typical maritime accident.
Oman Had Requested Removal
Omani authorities had requested the owner of the tanker to remove it and its cargo by July 23. The vessel, however, remained in the area.
It remains unclear who is responsible for recovering the cargo, securing the ship, or addressing the oil spill.
Experts monitoring the situation have also noted a lack of significant ship traffic around the Caroline Bezengi that would suggest a large-scale operation to contain the leak.
Original Article: «Σκιώδης στόλος» και μαύρη κηλίδα: Ρωσικό πετρέλαιο απειλεί προστατευμένη θάλασσα του Ομάν — Pagenews (Greek) | View English Translation