Satellite images show increasing oil leak from tanker off Oman's coast

The "Caroline Bezengi" is considered part of the Russian shadow fleet, with which Russia evidently circumvents sanctions and transports oil in violation of Western restrictions. The ship is said to have previously been in the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. There are no confirmed details in the reporting on its current route and its last official home port.

Environmental risks in the Gulf of Oman

Given the situation, Greenpeace is calling for swift action by the responsible authorities and the international community. The organization warns of massive damage to the sensitive ecosystems in the Gulf of Oman, which is one of the most biologically productive marine regions in the world. An oil spill of this magnitude could threaten coral reefs, fish stocks, and coastal regions alike.

According to the environmentalists' assessment, salvaging or sealing the damaged tanker would be the only way to prevent a catastrophe. How likely such a rescue is remains unclear. It also remains unclear who specifically bears responsibility for the damaged tanker and which states have the necessary salvage capacities.

Shadow fleet under increased scrutiny

The incident also throws a spotlight on the risks of the shadow fleet. Ships operating outside international controls are often subject to outdated insurance, poor maintenance, and unclear ownership structures. Environmental organizations see this as a growing risk of severe maritime disasters, following patterns of other incidents such as the oil spill off Alaska.

Coastal states of the Gulf of Oman, including Oman itself, as well as Iran, Pakistan, and India, would be directly affected in the event of a large-scale oil spill. The region hosts important fishing grounds and shipping lanes through which a significant share of global oil trade flows. Pollution could therefore also have economic consequences for several countries.

Greenpeace announced that it would continue to monitor the situation and document it with independent satellite data. The organization called on authorities not to treat the incident as an isolated case, but to significantly tighten controls over the shadow fleet. This is intended to prevent an accident of this magnitude from recurring.

At the same time, pressure on Russia is growing; Russia has so far not commented on the incident. According to Greenpeace, the war in Ukraine is intensifying the shipping of oil in circumvention of Western sanctions, and thus the use of risky tankers.

The coming days are considered decisive. If the oil leak continues to intensify, experts warn of a catastrophe whose consequences are likely to remain visible for years or even decades.