Oman is confronting a potential environmental disaster as an oil tanker, reportedly part of Russia's "shadow fleet," is leaking significant quantities of crude oil near a protected nature reserve, according to non-governmental organizations. The vessel, believed to be the Caroline Bezengi, experienced explosions earlier this year, though the cause remains undetermined.
Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech reported that three explosions rocked the ship on June 6, leading to flooding in critical areas such as the steering gear compartment and pump room. These incidents rendered the main engine and steering gear inoperable, although the crew was reported to be accounted for. The ship, which loaded approximately one million barrels of crude oil in Russia on May 11, has been stranded off Oman's southern coast, near al-Qibliyyah island, for over a month. Satellite imagery verified by AFP indicates a substantial oil slick spreading from the vessel.
Environmental groups, including Greenpeace and PAX, estimate that the oil slick has expanded dramatically, from up to 20 square kilometers on July 24 to an estimated 600 square kilometers by August 4. Nina Noelle of Greenpeace warned of "severe and long-lasting" consequences, stating that the continued leakage and the ship's difficult location pose a serious risk of a larger environmental catastrophe. Wim Zwijnenburg, an investigator from Dutch peace organization PAX, cautioned that a complete break-up of the ship could lead to a regional environmental disaster impacting Omani fishing communities and marine biodiversity.
The affected area includes large stretches of the shoreline of al-Hallaniyat islands, which were designated as a marine reserve last year and are home to diverse marine life, including rare sea turtles. The surrounding waters are also habitat for the endangered Arabian Sea humpback whale. Oil contamination threatens coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and coastal habitats crucial for nesting sea turtles and breeding seabirds. Even small spills can persist in marine sediments for years, compromising the ecological resilience of the protected ecosystem.
The Caroline Bezengi has been implicated in circumventing Western sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The United Kingdom had previously sanctioned the vessel in February for its suspected involvement in shipping Russian oil. Experts highlight that the use of aging and poorly maintained tankers within Russia's "ghost fleet" significantly increases the risk of such environmental incidents, jeopardizing coastlines and marine ecosystems globally.
The International Maritime Organization has stated that it is "currently offering assistance to Oman" regarding the incident. Oman has not yet responded to requests for comment from AFP.
