Oman races to contain oil spill from grounded tanker

Oman is stepping up efforts to contain an oil spill from the tanker Caroline Bezengi, which ran aground on a rocky area near Al Qibliya Island in the Hallaniyat Islands off the Dhofar coast.

The Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology said it is working with national authorities, the Environment Authority, British maritime risk company Ambrey and international specialists to limit the environmental impact and prepare for the next stages of the salvage operation.

Specialist oil-spill response companies have been deployed, while pollution-control equipment and materials are being mobilized for use when weather and sea conditions permit, the ministry said.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rawahi, Director General of Maritime Affairs at the ministry, said authorities had been working since the incident occurred to reduce its potential environmental consequences.

The response has been complicated by severe weather during Oman’s Khareef season. Winds have reached around 40 knots, while waves have risen to approximately four meters, making it difficult and potentially dangerous for response vessels and teams to approach the tanker by sea.

The spill has already reached the Omani coastline, with authorities continuing to monitor its spread and environmental impact.

Al Rawahi said the waters surrounding the tanker are shallow and rocky, requiring accurate marine and hydrographic data to identify safe navigation routes and operating areas.

The tanker itself is tilted by approximately 17 degrees, with water entering a substantial portion of one side. Oil and seawater covering the deck, combined with strong winds and high waves, have created hazardous working conditions.

The vessel also lacks a reliable power supply needed to operate essential equipment. As a result, cargo transfers and heavy salvage operations cannot begin until minimum safety requirements are met and affected areas are secured.

Authorities are currently prioritizing the creation of a safe working environment for technical teams. This includes cleaning and preparing work areas, conducting safety checks and gas and oxygen measurements, determining equipment locations, and transporting generators, technical equipment and rescue gear to the vessel.

Because some equipment cannot safely be delivered by sea under current conditions, aircraft are being used to transport specialists and equipment directly to the tanker’s deck.

Technical teams are also assessing ways to reduce the ongoing leakage and stabilize the vessel and its cargo.

One option under consideration is the internal transfer of oil from damaged tanks to intact tanks, provided the tanker’s condition and safety requirements allow such an operation.

Any transfer would require the installation of power systems, pumps and other equipment, along with continuous monitoring of the vessel’s stability, tank conditions and overall safety.

Meanwhile, marine and hydrographic surveys are being conducted around the tanker and its approaches to determine water depths, seabed conditions and navigational hazards. The findings will help identify safe routes and staging areas for support vessels.

The longer-term objective is to create the conditions for transferring the tanker’s remaining oil cargo to another vessel equipped to carry out the operation.

Authorities said this stage will proceed only after the working environment has been secured, necessary equipment and power sources are in place, risks associated with damaged tanks have been addressed and safe maritime access has been established.

Al Rawahi said the response is advancing in phases based on technical assessments and safety considerations, with the protection of personnel, minimization of environmental damage and prevention of further deterioration of the tanker remaining the authorities’ main priorities.

By Vafa Guliyeva