A grounded Russian-owned tanker has leaked crude oil into a protected marine reserve off the coast of Oman, creating a massive slick [1].
The spill threatens a fragile ecosystem and highlights the environmental risks associated with the "shadow fleet" of tankers used to bypass international sanctions on Russian oil.
The Omani government announced on Monday that the leak from the Caroline Bezengi has created a slick covering almost 400 square kilometres [1, 2]. Other reports estimate the area at 232 square miles [3]. The vessel is carrying close to one million barrels of Russian crude [4].
The tanker ran into trouble in early June 2024 [4]. Authorities said the ship became grounded, possibly following an explosion, which led to the leak [5]. The spill has spread across a protected marine reserve and is affecting Qibliyah Island near the Hallaniyat Islands [6].
"Leaking crude oil from a tanker grounded off a nature reserve in Oman has created a slick covering almost 400 square kilometres," a government statement said [2].
Omani environment authorities are working to contain the spill, though the scale of the leak presents a significant challenge. The vessel's connection to the shadow fleet, ships with opaque ownership and questionable insurance, often complicates salvage and cleanup operations.
"The risk of an even larger environmental disaster remains serious," an Omani Environment Authority spokesperson said [1].
“The risk of an even larger environmental disaster remains serious.”
This incident underscores the systemic risk posed by the 'shadow fleet,' where vessels operating outside standard regulatory and insurance frameworks increase the likelihood of maritime accidents. Because these ships often lack transparent ownership and adequate coverage, the financial and logistical burden of environmental remediation typically falls on the coastal state rather than the vessel's owners.
