Oil Spill Reaches Oman's Mainland Amidst Cleanup Challenges

Oil spilled from a grounded tanker off the coast of Oman has reached the mainland, with monsoon winds complicating cleanup efforts, according to the United Nations maritime agency. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is closely monitoring the situation involving the crude oil tanker "CAROLINE BEZENGI."

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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is closely monitoring the oil spill from the crude oil tanker “CAROLINE BEZENGI,” which ran aground off the coast of Oman on June 30, 2026, and is currently located approximately 22 nautical miles off the coast of Sharbitat, Oman.

The tanker ran aground on June 30 approximately 22 nautical miles off the coast of Sharbitat, Oman. Oil is spreading northeast of Al-Kibliyah Island, with a portion reportedly nearing the mainland. The IMO stated that seasonal monsoon winds are making it difficult to reach the vessel, delaying rescue operations.

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Oil is spreading to the northeast of Al-Kibliyah Island, and some oil has reportedly almost reached the mainland.

Oman's state news agency reported that some beaches in the Ras Madrakah region on the Sultanate's southeastern coast have been contaminated. The oil slick, estimated by Oman's environmental agency to cover about 390 square kilometers, has accumulated around the Halanijat Islands archipelago. This area was designated a marine sanctuary last year to protect vulnerable ecosystems and marine life, including rare sea turtles.

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Due to the seasonal monsoon wind, it is difficult to reach the vessel, and rescue operations are delayed.

While the cause of the spill remains undetermined by Omani authorities, British maritime security firm Vanguard reported to AFP that the tanker experienced explosions in early June while sailing near Yemen, causing water ingress into several compartments. Environmental organizations Greenpeace and PAX told AFP that the spill narrowly avoided an "ecological catastrophe," noting the tanker was carrying approximately one million barrels of fuel oil. The vessel is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet," utilized to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil exports. This fleet consists of aging vessels criticized for their maintenance, insurance, and safety standards.

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today’s monitoring results showed that some beaches in the Ras Madrakah region, located on the Sultanate’s southeastern coast, were contaminated with oil.