Crude oil has been observed leaking and spreading in recent days from a sanctioned tanker grounded off the coast of Oman, near a marine protected area, according to satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press.
The images, with the latest dated Friday, show an oil sheen covering approximately 20 square kilometers (8 square miles) and dark patches of crude oil slicks on the shores of Dhofar’s Qibliyah Island, part of the Hallaniyat Islands.
Environmental expert Wim Zwijnenburg, with the Dutch peace organization PAX, noted that the crude oil has been gradually seeping from the tanker in low quantities over the past week, impacting local shorelines. The oil sheen has spread around the island, and Zwijnenburg observed an increase in the oil leak in recent days as the sheen grew larger.
"The main risk is the breaking of the ship" as the monsoon season brings windy conditions that "might take its toll on the hull," Zwijnenburg said. The monsoon season, from May to September, typically involves rough seas and strong winds.
Zwijnenburg estimated the tanker, identified as the Suezmax tanker Caroline Bezengi, is carrying more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil. The vessel is 274 meters (899 feet) long.
Images from July 28 showed the crude oil was primarily in the bay northwest of the ship, which ran aground off Qibliyah Island, with the oil sheen reaching the coast. The tanker has been grounded off the Dhofar coast since June.
The Caroline Bezengi is sanctioned by the United Kingdom for carrying oil originating from Russia and engaging in activities deemed to destabilize Ukraine. The European Union, Canada, and Switzerland have also imposed sanctions on the Cameroon-flagged tanker.
Greenpeace Germany, in a statement shared with AP, highlighted the situation as an example of environmental risks posed by Russia's "shadow fleet." As of July 24, impacts on the coastline and the region's sensitive marine ecosystem were already evident, according to Nina Noelle of Greenpeace Germany.
"With oil apparently continuing to leak and the tanker stranded in a difficult location, there is a serious risk of a much larger oil disaster, with even more devastating consequences for the region’s coastlines and marine ecosystems," Noelle stated.
The affected area is part of the Arabian Sea reserve, a marine protected zone that supports unique wildlife, including endangered Petrels.
The Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology had instructed the vessel's owners to remove it and its cargo by July 23. The owners' response to this directive is not yet clear.