Oil spill reaches Omani coast as Greenpeace urges faster tanker stabilization

Oil from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi has reached Oman’s coast, heightening the environmental risk and complicating the response. Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa is calling for faster stabilization of the vessel, safe offloading of remaining cargo and stronger protection for sensitive marine habitats.

Why it matters: - The spill has moved from an offshore emergency to a coastal pollution event, raising the threat to Oman’s shoreline and fragile marine ecosystems. - Sensitive areas at risk include protected habitats for coral reefs, seagrass beds, endangered sea turtle nesting beaches, migratory seabird breeding sites and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale aggregation. - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa says delays now could make containment harder and increase the chance of long-term pollution in marine sediments.

What happened: - Oil from the grounded tanker Caroline Bezengi, stranded off Oman’s Hallaniyat Islands for two months, reached the Omani coast. - Omani environment authorities confirmed oil landed at Ras Madrakah, about 200 kilometers north of the tanker. - The affected shoreline is estimated at about 40 kilometers, and oil could reach the southern coast of Masirah Island within hours. - Satellite analysis on Aug. 13 showed the slick had expanded to 1,700 square kilometers.

The details: - Omani authorities deployed response teams that include divers to inspect the tanker’s hull. - Air monitoring and satellite surveillance are also under way. - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa says the top priority is to stabilize the tanker to stop further leakage. - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa also wants the remaining cargo transferred safely as soon as conditions allow. - Satellite images show the tanker is becoming more submerged, while the amount already spilled and the amount still on board remain unclear. - The Marine Arabia Reserve is among the areas Greenpeace says needs stronger containment efforts. The marine protected area was created in 2025.

Between the lines: - The response challenge is growing because the spill is unfolding during the monsoon season, when weather can complicate offshore operations. - The situation shows how a grounded tanker can shift from a salvage problem to a broader environmental crisis if cargo is not secured quickly. - Dr. Hanan Kaskas, campaigns officer at Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, said the risk rises with every hour and that coastal ecosystems could face prolonged damage even after visible surface oil disappears. - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa says the scale of the incident is too complex for one country to handle alone and is urging the international community to provide specialist expertise, equipment and resources.

What's next: - Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa will keep monitoring the spill through satellite imagery and issue updates as new verified information becomes available. - Oman’s response effort is likely to focus on stabilizing the vessel, preventing more leakage and protecting exposed coastline and protected marine areas. - The full environmental impact may take years to emerge if oil residues settle into seabed sediments and continue affecting the ecosystem.