A vast oil spill in the Gulf is quickly becoming one of the world's worst in years after being allowed to spread almost unchecked for weeks. The slick off the coast of Oman from a grounded tanker carrying Russian crude had reportedly reached the mainland by Wednesday.
Spread of the Spill
The slick now covers an area of more than 2,000 square km, according to oil spill specialist John Amos, who reviewed satellite imagery. The Caroline Bezengi, carrying an estimated 800,000 barrels of Russian oil and under international sanctions, ran aground on June 30 at an Omani island that is part of a marine nature reserve.
No party has claimed an attack, but the vessel was navigating two separate wars on its journey from Russia to India. The ship first reported difficulties off Yemen on June 8, with maritime sources saying a blast appeared to have occurred aboard the Caroline Bezengi.
Complications in Response Efforts
A web of complex war- and sanctions-related rules governing shipping and oil spills is already hampering efforts to respond and could yet get in the way of halting an impending disaster, insurers and analysts say. The IOPC Funds, an intergovernmental agency dealing with tanker spills compensation, told it would not be involved in clean-up costs because the incident was being treated as an 'act of war' rather than a simple accident.
The 25-year-old tanker is also not insured by any recognized Western insurance provider. 'A nightmare scenario is there's no adequate response to keep the worst from happening,' said Amos, CEO of SkyTruth, a nonprofit organization aiming to strengthen environmental conservation through the use of satellite images.
In general, the cost and complexity of responding to oil spills can increase significantly when they occur in areas with complex political or military situations, which may lead to higher war-risk premiums and reroutings for ships operating in the region.
Cover image: Frans Berkelaar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
