Oman's Environment Authority says oil from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has reached Ras Madrakah on the mainland and threatens Masirah Island and a marine protected area near Qabiliyah Island. The 247-meter tanker, carrying nearly 1 million barrels, reported an explosion in June and is sanctioned as part of a suspected "shadow fleet." Satellite imagery shows a slick exceeding 600 sq km, spreading rapidly in strong monsoon winds.
Grounded Tanker Caroline Bezengi Spills Oil Onto Omani Mainland, Threatening Protected Coasts
This satellite photo taken Wednesday Aug. 5, 2026, shows the tanker Caroline Bezengi, grounded and partly submerged off the coast of Oman, leaking crude oil into the sea. (Pléiades © CNES 2026, Distribution Airbus DS via AP)
Oman's Environment Authority reported Wednesday that oil leaking from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has spread from the waters off Qabiliyah Island to beaches on Oman's mainland, and is threatening nearby marine protected areas.
What Happened
The 247-meter (899-foot) tanker, believed to be part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" and sanctioned by the United Kingdom and the European Union, reported an explosion in June while carrying nearly 1 million barrels of crude oil. The cause of the explosion has not been disclosed, and no group has claimed responsibility.
Extent of the Spill
Geospatial tracking firm SynMax Maritime and recent satellite imagery indicate the oil slick now covers more than 600 square kilometers (about 231 square miles). Strong monsoon-season winds and ocean currents have accelerated the spread, carrying contamination northward from the partially submerged vessel.
Areas at Risk
Authorities say contamination has reached the beaches of Ras Madrakah, roughly 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Qabiliyah Island. Officials also warned that the southern coasts of Masirah Island, more than 300 kilometers (185 miles) from the tanker, could be affected within hours.
Environmental Concerns and Response
Environmental experts warn the spill threatens a marine protected area around Qabiliyah Island and could cause significant harm to coastal ecosystems, fisheries and wildlife. Oman's Environment Authority is monitoring the situation and issuing advisories while assessing the scale of contamination. Satellite monitoring and local containment efforts are being reported, though cleanup and mitigation are complicated by the vessel's condition and weather.
Note: The vessel's ownership is believed to be based in Shanghai, according to tracking data; the tanker reportedly departed Novorossiysk, Russia, in May.
Oman — a sultanate on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula — has previously played a role in regional diplomacy. Authorities and international observers are watching the spill's environmental and navigational implications as response teams evaluate containment and cleanup options.
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