A crude oil spill from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has spread across almost 400km2 off Oman’s coast, according to a statement by the Omani government.
The vessel, carrying nearly one million barrels of Russian oil destined for Asia, encountered problems in June 2026 while sailing off the coast of Yemen, reported Reuters.
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Maritime security sources have indicated that initial inspections pointed to an onboard explosion, although no party has claimed responsibility for an attack.
Oman’s Environment Authority announced that the spill, estimated at about 390km2 (150 square miles), is located near the Hallaniyat Islands.
The authority relayed through the state news agency that there is currently no threat to local facilities, including desalination plants or tourism infrastructure.
The slick, extending northeast from the islands, is within approximately 7km of the coastline.
Hallaniyat Islands were declared a nature reserve last year by royal decree from Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The protected area is home to wildlife such as Arabian Sea humpback whales and Socotra cormorants.
The Omani government stated it is working to manage the environmental impact caused by the leak.
Greenpeace, an environmental organisation, previously estimated the spill covered around 600km2, using satellite imagery analysis.
According to data cited by Reuters, the Caroline Bezengi departed from Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in April and transited the Suez Canal at the end of May.
The vessel was reportedly operating as part of a fleet of older tankers that do not hold Western insurance and often use different national flags to conceal ownership.
Shipping records identify Caroline Bezengi as flying the Cameroon flag, though it was one of 39 tankers recently removed from the Cameroonian registry.
The ship is under sanctions imposed by the European Union, Ukraine, the UK, Canada, and Switzerland.
LSEG data lists Rentoor Shipmanagement as the registered owner and Villar Shipmanagement as manager, with both firms believed to be based in China.
