British firm begins salvage of sanctioned Russian tanker as oil spill reaches Oman's shoreline

Vessel and voyage

The Caroline Bezengi, a 247-meter tanker belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet," was carrying approximately 800,000 barrels of Russian crude oil (130,000 tonnes per IMO) when it ran aground on June 30 near Qabiliyah Island in Oman's Dhofar region. The vessel is under EU and British government sanctions for transporting Russian oil. It had departed the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May (Courrier International cites May 13; The Independent cites April), passed through the Suez Canal at the end of May, and was heading toward a refinery near Jamnagar, India. On June 8, the tanker first reported difficulties off Yemen after what maritime sources described as an apparent blast. No party has claimed an attack, though the vessel was navigating near two active conflict zones: the Russia-Ukraine war and the Yemen conflict involving Houthi militants.

Spill reaches shoreline

Oman's Environment Authority confirmed on August 12 that oil from the stricken tanker had reached the shores of Ras Madrakah, more than 200 kilometers north of Qabiliyah Island. Authorities estimated the spill could extend a further 100 kilometers north to Masirah Island. According to the IMO, the oil has been leaking "for some time." Greenpeace, citing satellite imagery, reported the contaminated area had grown to 1,400 square kilometers. The IMO said the slick could pollute up to 40 kilometers of coastline around Ras Madrakah and up to 20 kilometers on the south side of Masirah Island. Satellite images show the tanker is increasingly submerged, and experts have warned of an environmental disaster if the vessel sinks or breaks open and releases its entire cargo. Greenpeace noted the tanker carries nearly three times the oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska in 1989.

Salvage operation

Ambrey, a UK-based maritime risk and response company, announced on August 13 that it had been engaged to salvage the Caroline Bezengi. Its personnel boarded the vessel with assistance from the Omani air force to assess its condition before stabilizing it. Ambrey has contracted a leading international oil spill response firm and deployed salvage vessels, aircraft, and a team of specialists carrying more than 100 tonnes of equipment. The company did not provide estimates for how long the operation would take or cost.

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

The Khareef monsoon season, which peaks in July and August, brings steady mist, cool drizzles, and intermittent rain to Oman's Dhofar region, restricting access to the ship and causing delays.

Environmental threat

The marine protected area around Qabiliyah Island includes coral reefs, seagrass meadows, endangered turtles, and breeding sites for migratory birds. The waters are also home to the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale and Socotra cormorants. Greenpeace campaigner Hanen Keskes said it is "extremely concerning" that oil has spread from an offshore spill to the shoreline where it can contaminate coastal sediments.

“It can make the cleanup significantly more complex than containment at sea. Even after the slick has been contained and removed, the environmental impact can last for years.”

The remote area lacks infrastructure, making salvage and containment more challenging and requiring additional safety measures, Keskes said.