Russian shadow fleet tanker spills oil off Oman coast

The sanctioned Caroline Bezengi tanker, which was transporting Russian oil, has likely caused a spill in a protected marine area off the coast of Oman.

Source: Reuters, citing satellite image analysis and conclusions from three independent experts

Details: The suspected spill affected waters in a bay southwest of Al-Qibliyah Island. Satellite images from 2-13 July show the pollution as a silvery-grey slick.

Experts from SkyTruth, the Conflict and Environment Observatory and Data Desk stated that the satellite imagery appears to indicate an oil spill.

Before its latest voyage, Caroline Bezengi loaded Russian oil in Novorossiysk. The vessel last transmitted its signal in the open AIS tracking system on 11 June off the coast of Yemen.

The tanker is under sanctions for transporting Russian fuel. Shipping databases list its owner as the Shanghai-based company Rentoor Shipmanagement, although Reuters was unable to obtain a comment from the company.

Background: Armed attackers boarded the chemical tanker Asana in the Gulf of Aden off the southern coast of Yemen and took control of the vessel.

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