An oil spill originating from the tanker Gem No.2 has reached the United Arab Emirates coastline, prompting authorities to close certain beaches and coastal areas. The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker was struck by a projectile between 9 and 10 October, causing damage and fire that resulted in an oil leak. Satellite imagery from Monday revealed the beginning of the spill, which had expanded to cover more than 35 kilometers by Wednesday.
UAE authorities confirmed on Thursday that the incident is affecting beaches near Umm Al Quwain in the northern part of the country. Video evidence from Friday documented the oil reaching shore and discoloring the water. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated it initiated containment measures immediately upon discovery to minimize environmental consequences. A smaller leak from the vessel was initially observed on 19 October, but the slick expanded significantly over the following two days according to radar satellite analysis.
Environmental researchers emphasize that assessing the full extent of damage remains premature at this stage. The spill poses immediate threats to marine life through physical harm to organisms, including entanglement of sea turtles and contamination of fish gills and bird plumage. Long-term exposure to toxic oil compounds may also impair reproduction capabilities in affected species. The trajectory of the spill extends toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, recognized globally as a Key Biodiversity Area containing coral reefs, seagrasses, saltmarshes, green turtles, and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish.
The incident occurred during a period of heightened vessel strikes in and around the Strait of Hormuz. All 22 Indian crew members aboard Gem No.2 were rescued. The attack represents part of a broader pattern of incidents in early October, which analysts attributed to Iranian efforts to control the strategic shipping lane in response to increased US military escort operations. Similar environmental incidents have affected the region previously, with another major oil slick washing ashore on Iran’s Qeshm Island in August.
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