Additional Coverage:
A British maritime security firm, Ambrey, announced on Thursday that it is actively involved in the salvage operation of the distressed tanker Caroline Bezengi off the coast of Oman. Additional salvage vessels are currently en route to assist in the effort.
The Caroline Bezengi, carrying approximately 800,000 barrels of Russian oil and subject to international sanctions, ran aground on June 30 near a sensitive marine nature reserve in Oman. This area is home to diverse wildlife, including Arabian Sea humpback whales and Socotra cormorants.
Ambrey is collaborating closely with Omani authorities and has engaged a leading international oil spill response company to manage the environmental risks. Ed Wollaston, Ambrey’s director of global response, described the situation as “extremely challenging,” noting that the ongoing Khareef monsoon season-with its persistent mist, drizzle, and rain-has complicated salvage efforts.
Oman’s environmental agency reported on Wednesday that a large oil spill from the leaking tanker has begun contaminating the country’s coastline. The spill, which has been spreading for weeks with limited containment, threatens to become one of the most severe in recent years.
The tanker initially reported trouble near Yemen on June 8 after what maritime sources described as an explosion. The vessel, navigating through conflict zones and sanctions, has not had any party claim responsibility for an attack.
The response is further hindered by complex legal and regulatory frameworks linked to ongoing wars and sanctions, which affect both shipping and oil spill protocols. The International Oil Pollution Compensation (IOPC) Funds, responsible for compensating tanker spill damages, indicated it would not cover cleanup costs, categorizing the incident as an “act of war” rather than a conventional accident. Additionally, the Caroline Bezengi is uninsured by recognized Western providers.
John Amos, CEO of environmental nonprofit SkyTruth, warned that inadequate response could lead to a catastrophic spill. He estimated the tanker could lose its entire cargo-potentially 40 to 50 million gallons of oil-comparable in scale to the infamous 1989 Exxon Valdez disaster. The Caroline Bezengi’s size and capacity are similar to the Sanchi tanker, which suffered a fatal collision in 2018, marking one of the worst tanker disasters in recent decades.
The United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO) acknowledged that the seasonal monsoon has restricted access to the tanker and delayed salvage operations but confirmed that oil spill contingency plans are in place.
Oman reported on Monday that the oil slick covers nearly 400 square kilometers and has deployed containment booms in an attempt to curb its spread. However, independent environmental groups and specialists estimate the spill area to be significantly larger, with rapid expansion noted in early August. Greenpeace’s Middle East political campaigns lead, Hanen Keskes, highlighted that the affected area grew from 45 square kilometers at the end of July to approximately 600 square kilometers by early August.
SkyTruth’s Amos emphasized that, beyond containment, critical steps include stabilizing the tanker and transferring the remaining oil to another vessel. He cautioned that delays would increase the complexity and danger of salvage operations as the vessel continues to deteriorate under harsh weather conditions.