A sanctioned oil tanker carrying nearly 1 million barrels of crude appears to have sunk further off Oman, while oil leaking from the grounded vessel has spread across hundreds of square kilometres and reached the shores of Qibliyah Island.
The images also show an oil sheen stretching northeast from the tanker and around Qibliyah Island.
Oil reaches island shoresThe latest satellite images show the oil sheen extending northeast from the tanker, which is grounded near the rocky coastline, and around the island.
In an earlier assessment, Zwijnenburg estimated that the spill covered about 150 square kilometres, compared with around 20 square kilometres (8 square miles) a week earlier.
The Oman News Agency said authorities were monitoring the area using satellite images, field surveys and technical models.
A sanctioned oil tanker carrying nearly 1 million barrels of crude appears to have sunk further off Oman, while oil leaking from the grounded vessel has spread across hundreds of square kilometres and reached the shores of Qibliyah Island.
The 899-foot (274-metre) Caroline Bezengi has been grounded off Qibliyah Island in southwestern Oman for several weeks. Satellite images dated Aug. 5 show the tanker partly underwater and deeper than it appeared in an image taken on July 31.
The images also show an oil sheen stretching northeast from the tanker and around Qibliyah Island.
As of Aug. 7, the oil sheen covered nearly 800 square kilometres (309 square miles), according to Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert at PAX, a Dutch organisation that tracks environmental issues linked to conflicts.
The spill has reached an area that is part of the Arabian Sea reserve, a marine protected area home to endangered wildlife, including petrels and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale.
Greenpeace Germany, which has been tracking the spill, said the increase in the area covered by oil suggests the condition of the tanker may be worsening.
Nina Noelle, an environmental disaster expert at Greenpeace Germany, said satellite images showed the spill covered about 45 square kilometres (17 square miles) through July 26.
By Aug. 2, the area had increased to about 150 square kilometres (58 square miles), while images from Aug. 4 showed the spill covering roughly 600 square kilometres (232 square miles), she said.
On Saturday, Zwijnenburg said the oil sheen was barely visible in new satellite images and appeared to have been diluted and dispersed by weather conditions.
Tanker is under sanctions
The Caroline Bezengi is believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and has been sanctioned by Britain and the European Union for carrying Russian oil.
The Cameroon-flagged tanker is also sanctioned by Canada and Switzerland.
According to geospatial data company SynMax Maritime, the vessel left Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May.
Greenpeace and other reports say the vessel’s owners are believed to be based in Shanghai.
The tanker has been grounded since June after its crew reportedly reported an explosion on board on June 8. The Associated Press said it could not independently confirm those reports.
Zwijnenburg earlier estimated that the tanker was carrying more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil. Other reports described the cargo as nearly 1 million barrels.
The British government said in its decision to sanction the vessel that it “has been or is likely to be involved in activity whose object or effect is to destabilise Ukraine” or to support the Russian government.
SynMax Maritime previously said it had obtained images showing the tanker at Novorossiysk in May, before its latest voyage.
It remains unclear where the tanker was heading when it grounded off Oman.
Oil reaches island shores
The latest satellite images show the oil sheen extending northeast from the tanker, which is grounded near the rocky coastline, and around the island.
Zwijnenburg said the sheen appeared to be about 90 km (56 miles) long, nearly twice its length from a week earlier.
He also said thick black patches of oil had reached the southern and western shores of Qibliyah Island.
In an earlier assessment, Zwijnenburg estimated that the spill covered about 150 square kilometres, compared with around 20 square kilometres (8 square miles) a week earlier.
Greenpeace Germany warned of an “imminent risk of an unprecedented oil disaster” and said the spill could have consequences for coastlines and marine ecosystems in the region.
The group called on authorities to act immediately to assess ways to contain the spill. It also said Oman should seek international assistance if needed.
Oman monitoring the situation
Oman’s government said on Thursday that it was responding to the incident.
The Oman News Agency said authorities were monitoring the area using satellite images, field surveys and technical models. Teams were ready to “implement necessary procedures” to deal with possible effects on marine life and navigation safety.
It was not immediately clear whether authorities had reached the tanker or whether salvage operations were under way to remove the vessel and its cargo or stop the oil leak.
Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology had ordered the owners to remove the tanker and its cargo by July 23, according to the Omani Muscat Daily. It was not clear whether the owners had responded.
July and August are the peak monsoon months in the area. Weather conditions have also affected how the oil sheen appears and spreads in satellite imagery.
References: AP News, LA Times
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The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
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