A major oil spill from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has begun reaching Oman’s coastline, while the scale of the pollution continues to increase. According to information released on August 12, 2026, the slick now covers more than 2,000 square kilometres and could affect around 40 kilometres of coastline near Ras Madraka as well as Masirah Island. International organisations and environmental specialists warn that without rapid intervention, the incident could cause serious damage to marine ecosystems.
The Caroline Bezengi was carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of Russian crude oil. The vessel first reported difficulties off the coast of Yemen on June 8 after what maritime sources said appeared to be an explosion. No party has claimed responsibility for an attack, and the exact cause of the initial incident has not been established.
The tanker subsequently ran aground on June 30 near an Omani island that forms part of a protected marine area. Satellite imagery later showed crude oil leaking from the vessel and spreading through the surrounding waters.
On August 10, Oman’s Environment Authority reported that the slick covered almost 400 square kilometres. Environmental organisations and specialists using satellite imagery estimated a larger affected area. By August 12, analysis of more recent satellite images indicated that the slick had expanded dramatically to more than 2,000 square kilometres.
Of particular concern is that some of the oil has now begun reaching the mainland. Oman’s environmental authorities and the UN’s International Maritime Organization have reported that the pollution could eventually affect approximately 40 kilometres of coastline near Ras Madraka and threaten Masirah Island.
The surrounding waters are environmentally important. The tanker is leaking near an island within an Omani marine nature reserve that provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, including the endangered Arabian Sea humpback whale and Socotra cormorants. Oil pollution could affect marine animals as well as coastal and underwater ecosystems.
The response is being complicated by seasonal monsoon conditions. Strong winds, waves and currents can spread the oil across a wider area while making it more difficult for salvage teams to reach and stabilise the damaged vessel.
One of the most serious concerns is the condition of the 25-year-old Caroline Bezengi itself. Specialists warn that if the tanker continues to deteriorate under the impact of waves and weather, significantly more of its remaining cargo could enter the sea. Stabilising the vessel and transferring the remaining crude to another tanker are therefore considered essential steps in preventing a larger disaster.
The operation is also complicated by legal, insurance and sanctions-related issues. The tanker is under international sanctions and is not insured by a recognised Western insurance provider. The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds has said it will not cover clean-up costs because the incident is being treated as an “act of war” rather than a conventional maritime accident.
Omani authorities have deployed containment booms and say contingency planning is in place. However, the rapid expansion of the slick illustrates the difficulty of controlling the spill under the current conditions.
The latest figures show how quickly the situation has changed. Oman reported an affected area of almost 400 square kilometres on August 10, while satellite analysis two days later indicated that the slick had spread across more than 2,000 square kilometres and oil had begun reaching the coastline.
The immediate priority is now to prevent further leakage from the Caroline Bezengi, stabilise the tanker and limit the environmental damage along Oman’s coast and within the surrounding protected marine areas.
