Oman details oil spill after Caroline Bzenege incident off its coast

Oman has reported a significant oil spill covering approximately 390 square kilometers off its coast, following damage to the sanctioned vessel Caroline Bzenege. The vessel, carrying Russian crude oil, encountered issues near the port of Mukalla in southern Yemen on June 8, with initial assessments suggesting an explosion onboard.

Oman's Environment Authority disclosed the environmental impact on Monday, stating they are actively addressing the spill near the Hallaniyat Islands in the southern Dhofar governorate. The oil slick has been observed to extend northeast from the islands, nearing the mainland coast within a distance of seven kilometers at its closest point.

Satellite imagery analysis has shown the spill continues to expand, causing concerns about potential environmental damage. The vessel's cause of damage remains unknown, and Oman has not provided an explanation. It is worth noting that Russia often employs aging, poorly maintained tankers, referred to as its shadow fleet, to bypass Western sanctions on oil exports.

The Caroline Bzenege was loaded with Russian crude before its voyage, with its last Automatic Identification System (AIS) transmission occurring on June 11 off the coast of Yemen. Both the European Union and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on the vessel due to its involvement in transporting fuel from Russia.