An oil slick covering approximately 390 square kilometers (150 square miles) has spread in the waters off the coast of Oman. The country’s government reported this on Monday following damage to a sanctioned vessel carrying Russian oil.
The crew of the vessel Caroline Bezengi first reported problems on June 8 near the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla. According to two sources in maritime security, a preliminary assessment indicated an explosion on board. On Monday, Oman publicly disclosed the environmental consequences of the incident for the first time, stating measures to combat the oil leak in its waters near the Hallaniyat islands in the southern province of Dhofar.
Spread of the slick and risk of environmental damage
In a statement by Oman’s Environmental Protection Authority, distributed by the country’s state news agency, it is noted that the oil slick covers approximately 390 square kilometers. This estimate is based on the latest analysis, which included satellite images. The slick extends northeast from the islands toward the mainland, and at its closest point to the shore, it is approximately seven kilometers from the coast.
An analysis of satellite images and data from maritime transportation experts conducted by the agency Reuters showed that the spill from the stranded tanker Caroline Bezengi, which is 274 meters (900 feet) long, continued to spread at the end of last month. This has raised concerns about possible environmental damage. The cause of the vessel’s damage remains unknown, and Oman has not provided any explanations regarding the circumstances of the incident.
According to ship tracking systems, the vessel was loaded with Russian oil before its voyage. The Caroline Bezengi last transmitted a signal through the public Automatic Identification System (AIS) on June 11 off the coast of Yemen.
Russia uses old, often poorly maintained tankers in the so-called “shadow fleet” to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. The European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on the Caroline Bezengi, stating its involvement in transporting fuel from Russia.
Source: The Straits Times
