Sanctioned 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker Leaking Russian Oil Off Oman Coast, Satellite Images Confirm

A tanker under Western sanctions, identified as part of the "shadow fleet" transporting Russian oil, is actively leaking crude off the coast of Oman, according to analysis of recent satellite imagery. The spreading spill raises fears of significant environmental damage in a protected marine area and underscores the risks posed by tankers operating outside of standard regulatory oversight.

Spill Confirmed Near Protected Area

Satellite images from July 28 show a visible dark slick in the water near the tanker, the *Caroline Bezengi*. Wim Zwijnenburg, a remote-sensing specialist with the Dutch peace organization Pax, reviewed the imagery and told Reuters that "at least one of the hulls of the crude oil storage ship seems now to be breached, and the ship is leaking crude oil."

The spill is located near al-Qibliyyah island, which is part of a protected marine zone off Oman's coast. Experts warn that the region's monsoon season, which typically peaks in July and August, could bring severe weather and rapidly accelerate the spread of the oil, compounding the environmental threat.

Background on the Troubled Vessel

The *Caroline Bezengi* first reported difficulties on June 8 off the southern coast of Yemen. Two maritime security sources indicated that initial assessments pointed to a blast occurring on board, though the cause remains unconfirmed.

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Key details on the vessel include:

• Sanctions Status: Subject to European Union and UK sanctions for alleged involvement in carrying Russian fuels.
• Recent Cargo: Loaded Russian oil at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk before its most recent voyage, according to ship tracking data.
• Current Condition: An oil tanker specialist who reviewed the satellite images said the vessel appears to be listing, with other maritime sources warning it could break up.

'Shadow Fleet' Risks Materialize

This incident highlights the growing environmental and financial risks associated with the so-called shadow fleet. This network of aging, often poorly maintained and insured tankers, is used to transport oil from sanctioned nations like Russia, frequently operating with opaque ownership structures.

A spokesperson for the U.N.’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) stated that the agency was monitoring the situation closely and that discussions by authorities were ongoing to address the safety and environmental risks. The vessel's listed owner, Shanghai-based Rentoor Shipmanagement, could not be reached for comment, according to Reuters. Oman’s transport ministry also did not respond to a request for comment.