Oil Pollution Threatens Vital Ecosystems Off Oman Coast Linked to Shadow Fleet
Environmental protection group Greenpeace has warned that severe oil pollution is spreading through protected marine ecosystems off the coast of Oman, compounding the ecological damage caused by a sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” tanker that recently ran aground. Satellite imagery analyzed by the organization reveals that oil slicks now cover an estimated 90 square kilometers in the region, threatening vital bird breeding grounds and coastal habitats on both the Omani and Iranian sides of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The most immediate concern centers on the Musandam National Park, a rugged and ecologically sensitive coastal enclave that serves as a crucial breeding and nesting site for numerous migratory and endemic bird species. Greenpeace reported that satellite data clearly shows the expansion of contamination directly into these protected zones, where the complex topography makes manual cleanup operations exceptionally difficult.
Shadow Fleet Grounding Linked to Massive Oil Spill
Compounding the crisis in the north is a separate, massive spill event on Oman’s southern coast. Greenpeace highlighted clear evidence that oil from a second incident has reached the shoreline, linked to the grounding of the tanker “Caroline Bezengi.” The vessel is widely identified as part of Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a network of aging ships used to transport sanctioned crude oil while evading international price caps and insurance requirements. The “Caroline Bezengi,” which is currently under European Union sanctions, ran aground in early September. By September 16, the visible surface area of the resulting oil slick had expanded to an astonishing 500 square kilometers. Environmental monitors have identified multiple heavily contaminated zones along a 50 to 70 kilometer stretch of the southern coastline, threatening pristine beaches and vital mangrove habitats.
Evasion of Maritime Safety Standards Exposed
The involvement of the shadow fleet in these environmental disasters underscores a systemic failure in global maritime governance. Vessels operating within this illicit network frequently disable their automatic identification systems, undergo deceptive ship-to-ship transfers at sea, and operate without standard protection and indemnity insurance. This lack of oversight means that when mechanical failures or navigational errors occur, there are no financial guarantees to fund immediate emergency response or long-term environmental remediation.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, is witnessing an unprecedented volume of maritime traffic. The convergence of commercial shipping, military patrols, and illicit oil transfers has created a high-risk environment for marine ecosystems that are already stressed by rising water temperatures and coastal development.
Original Article: Greenpeace warns of expanding oil spills off Oman coast linked to shadow fleet — Co