One million barrels of oil at risk as tanker rescue underway off Oman

British maritime security company Ambrey announced that it is taking part in an operation to evacuate the tanker Caroline Bezengi, which was damaged off the coast of Oman.

The company said aircraft and an experienced team of specialists carrying more than 100 tons of equipment have been deployed to the site.

According to Ambrey, specialists have already boarded the vessel with the support of the Omani Air Force to assess conditions on board and begin stabilising the cargo and the tanker itself.

The operation is being carried out amid the Khareef monsoon, creating unfavourable weather and sea conditions affecting the vessel’s “stability, safety and pace of operations, as well as access to the site,” the company noted.

“We have deployed the leading experts in each aspect of the response and have mobilised the appropriate supporting equipment, aircraft and vessels. We are working around the clock to mitigate the environmental impact of the situation,” Ed Wollaston, Ambrey’s global response director, said.

The Caroline Bezengi departed the Russian port of Novorossiysk in May. The sanctioned vessel is carrying nearly 1 million barrels of oil. On June 8, the tanker reported an explosion on board. The cause remains unknown.

The explosion was followed by an oil leak. By August 7, the spill had spread across nearly 800 square meters and reached a protected natural area in the Arabian Sea. By August 12, the oil slick had reached the coast of Oman.

By Jeyhun Aghazada