Oil leaking from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has reached beaches on mainland Oman, the country's Environment Authority confirmed on Wednesday, August 12. The pollution was detected at Ras Madrakah, about 200 kilometres north of the vessel's position near Qabiliyah Island, while officials warned that currents could carry oil toward Masirah Island within hours.
The 247-metre tanker reported an explosion in June and later grounded near an environmentally sensitive island off Oman's southeastern coast. Associated Press reported that the ship was carrying nearly one million barrels of crude, while Reuters put the estimated cargo at about 800,000 barrels. No party has claimed responsibility for the explosion, and authorities have not announced its cause.
Satellite assessments differ because they were made at different times and with different methods. Associated Press cited recent imagery indicating contamination across more than 600 square kilometres. Reuters reported that John Amos, an oil-spill specialist who examined satellite data, estimated the slick at more than 2,000 square kilometres, while Omani authorities had earlier described a smaller affected area.
The Environment Authority said contamination could affect roughly 40 kilometres of shoreline near Ras Madrakah and warned that southern Masirah could be next. Strong winds and monsoon-season currents have accelerated the northeastward spread. The grounded ship lies close to a marine reserve that supports Arabian Sea humpback whales, Socotra cormorants and other wildlife, increasing concern about damage to feeding and breeding habitat.
The Caroline Bezengi sailed from Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and was bound for India, according to vessel-tracking information cited by the news agencies. Britain and the European Union have sanctioned the tanker over its role in transporting Russian oil, and maritime reporting has linked it to the fleet of vessels used to move sanctioned cargoes. Its owners are believed to be based in Shanghai.
Oman's Environment Authority said it was monitoring the leak and coastal contamination. The expanding shoreline impact raises the urgency of containing oil at sea, protecting sensitive islands and organising beach cleanup, although officials had not released a full estimate of oil discharged by Wednesday. Further aerial and satellite surveys will determine how far the slick travels and which habitats require priority protection.
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