Oman’s Environment Authority announced containment efforts Monday for an ongoing oil spill originating from the tanker Caroline Bezengi, which has been immobilized near the country’s coast for more than a month. The spill currently extends roughly 400 square kilometers, with the slick located within approximately 7 kilometers of shore according to the authority’s latest assessment. Environmental organization Greenpeace provided a higher estimate of around 600 square kilometers based on satellite imagery analysis.
The Caroline Bezengi loaded cargo at Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in April before transiting the Suez Canal at the end of May, according to vessel tracking data. An AFP investigation revealed the ship became stranded in early June near Oman’s al-Qibliyyah Island following an explosion that breached multiple sections and allowed water ingress. The environmental impact is particularly significant given the spill’s location near Oman’s Hallaniyat archipelago, where a marine reserve was established to safeguard ecosystems hosting diverse species including endangered sea turtles.
Oman’s Environment Authority emphasized the urgency of protecting the region’s biological resources, specifically mentioning coral reefs, turtle breeding grounds, and other ecologically vital marine and coastal habitats. The state-backed Oman News Agency reported that authorities have initiated aerial surveillance and deployed diving teams. Officials stated they are developing procedures to transfer the vessel’s crude cargo to mitigate environmental and navigational hazards.
The tanker is believed to be operating as part of Russia’s shadow fleet, used to evade Western sanctions on petroleum exports through vessels registered under various flags. The Caroline Bezengi faces sanctions from the European Union, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Switzerland. Greenpeace and Dutch organization PAX warned the spill poses imminent catastrophic environmental consequences, noting the vessel carries approximately one million barrels of crude destined for Asia. Authorities have not yet determined the explosion’s cause.
Article Attribution | Read More at Article Source
Article summary produced by Claude AI