Oil spill from sanctioned tanker Caroline Bizenji sparks environmental threat off Oman

Satellite images have revealed that a sanctioned oil tanker carrying nearly one million barrels of crude is increasingly sinking off the coast of Oman, where it has been stranded for several weeks, as more oil continues to leak into the sea.

The oil tanker Caroline Bizenji ran aground off Qibliyah Island in southwestern Oman two months ago. The crew reported an explosion on board on June 8. According to media reports, the vessel is believed to be part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and has been sanctioned by the UK and European Union for transporting Russian oil.

In recent days, crude oil has rapidly leaked from the Caroline Bizenji, reaching the shores of Qibliyah Island off Oman’s southwest coast.

The spill has covered around 800 square kilometers, according to the Dutch organization PAX, which monitors environmental impacts in conflict zones.

German environmental group Greenpeace also reported a significant increase in the spill, warning of the vessel’s deteriorating condition. The oil slick covered 45 square kilometers (17 square miles) as of July 26, expanding to about 150 square kilometers (58 square miles) by August 2.

Satellite images taken last Tuesday showed the slick had grown to cover 600 square kilometers (232 square miles).

Greenpeace warned in a statement several days ago of an imminent risk of an unprecedented oil disaster due to the tanker’s malfunction.

Oman’s government announced last Thursday that it is responding to the incident, but did not specify whether field teams had reached the tanker or if rescue and containment operations had begun.