Sanctions-hit Tanker Leaking Oil off Coast of Oman

A sanctions-hit tanker is leaking oil off the coast of Oman, with satellite imagery showing the spill spreading toward coastal areas and protected marine zones. The vessel, identified as the Caroline Bezengi, is subject to European Union and UK sanctions for its alleged involvement in transporting Russian fuels. Ship tracking data indicates the tanker took Russian oil on board at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk before its most recent voyage.

Maritime security sources report that the ship first indicated difficulties on June 8 off the southern Yemeni port of Mukalla, where initial assessments suggested a blast occurred onboard. A satellite image from July 28 reveals a dark oil slick near the vessel and lighter patches north of al-Qibliyyah island. Wim Zwijnenburg, a remote-sensing specialist with the Dutch organization Pax, stated that the imagery suggests at least one of the hulls has been breached. He further noted that the monsoon season, which peaks in July and August, could rapidly spread the crude oil due to severe weather.

Experts reviewing the imagery suggest the vessel may be listing, and some maritime sources have warned that the ship could eventually break up. A spokesperson for the International Maritime Organization stated that the vessel has not yet broken up and that authorities are discussing safety and environmental risks. The owner of the ship, Shanghai-based Rentoor Shipmanagement, and Oman's Transport, Communications and IT Ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

It remains unclear if the damage was caused by a Ukrainian attack on Russian-related tankers or by the broader conflict in the Middle East. The vessel is part of a shadow fleet of aging, poorly maintained tankers used by Russia to bypass Western sanctions on oil exports.