Oil spill from grounded tanker threatens Oman's coast and marine reserve

The 25-year-old Caroline Bezengi tanker, under international sanctions and loaded with roughly 800,000 barrels of Russian crude, grounded on June 30 and began leaking near an Omani marine nature reserve that hosts humpback whales and Socotra cormorants. Satellite imagery reviewed by oil-spill specialist John Amos indicates the slick now spans more than 2,000 square km and may impact about 40 km of coastline around Ras Madraka and Masirah Island.

Oman has deployed booms, but monsoon weather has limited access and delayed salvage work, according to the International Maritime Organization. The IOPC Funds declined to cover cleanup costs, treating the incident as an "act of war" rather than a standard accident, and the vessel lacks Western insurance. Analysts fear the tanker could continue breaking up, potentially releasing 40 to 50 million gallons of oil, rivaling historic spills. Stabilising the ship and transferring remaining oil to another vessel are cited as necessary steps to prevent a larger environmental disaster.