Oman Struggles to Contain Oil Spill Threatening Marine Biodiversity

Omani authorities are battling a significant oil spill from the tanker Caroline Bezengi, stranded near the Hallaniyat Islands, that jeopardizes the country's southern coastline and its ecosystems. The spill has expanded over 400 square kilometers, posing immediate ecological threats to protected marine areas established last year.

The vessel, reportedly carrying around a million barrels of crude oil destined for Asia, has been immobilized since June following an explosion. This incident continues to unfold near Oman’s strategic al-Qibliyyah Island, impacting adjacent biodiverse regions populated by coral reefs, turtles, and other critical habitats.

Efforts by Oman’s Environment Authority include aerial surveillance and deploying divers, though the cause of the spill remains unidentified. Greenpeace has warned of an impending environmental disaster, attributing part of the tanker’s operations to Russia’s shadow fleet, a tactic employed to sidestep sanctions.