Russian Oil Spill Threatens Oman Nature Reserve

An oil spill from the sanctioned tanker Caroline Bezengi off the coast of Oman has created a slick covering nearly 400sq km, according to the first official statement from Oman’s Environment Authority.

The vessel, carrying one million barrels of Russian oil, reported problems following an explosion on board off the coast of Yemen in June. It subsequently ran aground near the Hallaniyat Islands. No one has so far claimed responsibility for the incident.

Omani authorities are working to prevent an environmental disaster, as the oil slick is just 7 km from a unique nature reserve. The area is an important habitat for endangered sea turtles and Socotra cormorants. Satellite images show that the spill from the 274 m-long vessel continues to spread.

The Caroline Bezengi was loaded at the Russian port of Novorossiysk and belongs to the so-called “shadow fleet” of older vessels used by Russia to circumvent sanctions. The tanker was sailing under the Cameroonian flag but was removed from the country’s registry in June. The vessel is subject to sanctions imposed by the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Switzerland.

According to maritime databases, the Chinese companies Rentoor and Villar Shipmanagement are listed as the vessel’s owner and manager, respectively.

(Reuters, Max)