Sanctioned Russian shadow-fleet tanker spills crude onto Omani coast as salvage begins

Vessel's journey and grounding

The Caroline Bezengi, a 247-meter Suezmax tanker built in 2001 and sailing under the flag of Cameroon, departed the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in April or May 2026, carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of Russian crude. The vessel passed through the Suez Canal at the end of May before sailing past Yemen. On June 6, the tanker suffered three explosions of unknown origin, according to maritime security company Vanguard, which spoke to AFP. The crew first reported difficulties off Yemen on June 8. No party has claimed responsibility for the incident, and the vessel was navigating through two separate conflict zones on its journey from Russia to India. The Caroline Bezengi ran aground on June 30 near Oman's Al-Hallaniyat Islands, a marine nature reserve established in 2025 to protect ecosystems including Arabian Sea humpback whales, Socotra cormorants, and sea turtles.

Sanctions and ownership

Western governments have identified the Caroline Bezengi as part of Russia's "shadow fleet," used to transport Russian oil circumventing sanctions imposed since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The tanker is under sanctions from the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada, and Ukraine. According to the open-source database OpenSanctions, Rentoor Shipmanagement and Villar Shipmanagement, both based in China, are registered as the ship's owner and operator, respectively. Geospatial data tracking company SynMax Maritime confirmed the vessel's departure from Novorossiysk.

Spill reaches Omani coastline

Oman's Environment Authority confirmed on Wednesday, August 12, that crude oil from the leaking tanker had reached beaches at Ras Madrakah on mainland Oman, approximately 200 kilometers north of Qabiliyah Island where the vessel is partially submerged. The authority warned that up to 40 kilometers of coastline in the Ras Madrakah area could be polluted, and that the southern coast of Masirah Island, over 300 kilometers north of the tanker, may be affected in the coming hours with 10 to 20 kilometers of beaches at risk. Fishermen and the public were urged to remain vigilant.

Conflicting spill size estimates

Omani authorities stated on Monday, August 10, that the oil slick covered approximately 390 to 400 square kilometers, concentrated around the Hallaniyat archipelago. However, recent satellite images showed the spill covering over 600 square kilometers, according to AP. Environmental groups including Greenpeace have estimated the spill is significantly larger than figures indicated by Omani authorities. Last week, Greenpeace and the Dutch NGO PAX warned of a catastrophic regional environmental disaster and called for urgent intervention.

Salvage operation launched

British maritime security company Ambrey announced on Thursday, August 13, that it has been engaged in the salvage of the stricken tanker and that salvage vessels are en route. Ambrey said it contracted a leading international oil spill response firm and is working with stakeholders in Oman. The response includes salvage vessels, aircraft, and specialists using 100 tons of equipment. Specialist personnel have already boarded the Caroline Bezengi, according to Bloomberg.

Monsoon complicates efforts

The annual Khareef monsoon in Oman's Dhofar region is severely hampering salvage and containment operations. The International Maritime Organization said it is monitoring the situation closely and that the monsoon has hindered access to the vessel and delayed operations. A transport ministry official cited by Oman's official news agency ONA confirmed that difficult weather conditions have complicated technical operations.

This is an extremely challenging situation, compounded by adverse weather conditions associated with the Khareef monsoon

Ed Wollaston is director of global response at Ambrey. In a separate incident, Iranian media reported that an oil leak has reached the neighboring Iranian islands of Qeshm and Hengam in the Strait of Hormuz, polluting beaches and a mangrove.