A British company has been hired to salvage a grounded Russian tanker off the coast of Oman and to stop an oil spill that is spreading toward the country's shoreline and threatening wildlife.
Ambrey, a UK-based maritime risk and response company, announced Thursday that its personnel boarded the vessel, the "Caroline Bezengi," with assistance from the Omani air force. Their objective is to assess the tanker's condition and begin stabilization efforts. The vessel has been grounded off Qabiliyah Island in southwestern Oman since an unexplained explosion occurred in early June. The estimated cargo is over 800,000 barrels of oil.
Satellite imagery has revealed that oil from the tanker has spread across hundreds of square kilometers, particularly during recent stormy weather associated with the region's Khareef monsoon season. Experts have warned of a significant environmental disaster if the tanker sinks or breaks apart, potentially releasing its entire cargo.
"This is an extremely challenging situation, compounded by adverse weather conditions associated with the Khareef monsoon," said Ed Wollaston, Ambrey's global response director. The company has not yet provided estimates for the duration or cost of the salvage operation.
Oman's Environment Authority reported on Wednesday that the oil slick has reached the shores of Ras Madrakah, located more than 200 kilometers north of Qabiliyah Island. Authorities anticipate the spill could extend another 100 kilometers north, potentially reaching Masirah Island.
Greenpeace campaigner Hanen Keskes expressed concern about the oil reaching the shoreline, stating, "It can make the cleanup significantly more complex than containment at sea. Even after the slick has been contained and removed, the environmental impact can last for years."
The affected area near Qabiliyah Island is a marine protected zone that includes coral reefs, seagrass meadows, endangered turtles, and serves as a breeding ground for migratory birds. It is also habitat for the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale. The remoteness of the area and its lack of infrastructure present additional challenges for the salvage and containment efforts, requiring enhanced safety measures, according to Keskes.
The "Caroline Bezengi," a 247-meter vessel, is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet." It has faced sanctions from the British government and the European Union due to its role in transporting Russian oil. Geospatial data indicates the tanker departed the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May. Its owners are reportedly based in Shanghai, and the vessel is unflagged, with its insurance status unclear.
This incident is not the only environmental crisis affecting the region. Off the coast of Iran, near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, authorities are managing an oil spill attributed to the conflict between Iran and the United States. Images distributed by Iran's semi-official news agency ISNA show oil contamination on Qeshm's beaches, though the cause of this spill remains unconfirmed. Maritime tracking firm TankerTrackers.com has suggested satellite imagery indicates the spill may have resulted from an Iranian attack on a cargo ship near Oman, with the spill then drifting towards Iran.