Oman has ordered the CAROLINE BEZENGI tanker to be removed within 24 hours due to environmental risks after it ran aground near Hallaniyat Islands.
Russian oil-laden CAROLINE BEZENGI grounded on rocks: 24 hours for the shipowner from Oman
Omani authorities have reportedly given the owner and operator of the sanctioned CAROLINE BEZENGI tanker a 24-hour deadline to remove the ship and its cargo. The tanker, which encountered problems while en route to India after loading Russian oil in Novorossiysk, ran aground near the protected Hallaniyat Islands of Oman. Satellite images indicate a potential oil spill around the vessel.
Oman has issued a final warning to the owner and operator of the crude oil tanker CAROLINE BEZENGI, which grounded off the coast of Dhofar, regarding the environmental threat posed by the vessel.
The Omani Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology has requested that the shipowner and operator take action to remove the tanker and its cargo within 24 hours. It has been stated that legal action will be initiated if the directive is not complied with.
The CAROLINE BEZENGI, with a deadweight tonnage of 159,168 DWT, loaded oil at Russia's Novorossiysk Port before its last voyage. It was reported that the vessel was heading towards India, encountered issues off the coast of Oman’s Dhofar region on June 8, and transmitted its last publicly available AIS signal off the coast of Yemen on June 11.
The ship is on the European Union and United Kingdom's sanctions lists due to its role in transporting Russian oil and petroleum products. The operator is listed as Shanghai-based Rentoor Shipmanagement in databases. Reuters reported that it could not reach company officials.
Silver-colored slick in satellite images
In images from Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites taken between July 2 and July 13, a silver and gray slick was observed in a bay southwest of Al Qibliyyah Island.
Three independent experts from SkyTruth, the Conflict and Environment Observatory, and Data Desk assessed that the images are consistent with an oil spill. However, the amount of oil that has mixed into the sea has not yet been determined by any publicly disclosed official measurement.
The tanker is located in a sensitive marine protected area around the Hallaniyat Islands, which is significant for marine mammals, turtles, and seabirds.
The condition of the ship is deteriorating
According to Maritime Executive, Omani maritime authorities determined on July 12 during an onboard inspection that the condition of the tanker had significantly worsened compared to the aerial inspection conducted a week prior.
The report suggested that the vessel had become more submerged in the water on the rocks, its list had increased, and some tanks showed a mixture of seawater. It was also assessed that crude oil had reached ballast and double hull spaces, posing a risk of gas explosions. All these technical findings have not yet been presented to the public in a detailed official report by Omani authorities.
The evaluated salvage plan envisions transferring the cargo from the ship to another tanker that will wait in a safer area via a temporary pipeline of approximately 1,000 yards. The tanker will be attempted to be floated as it lightens. However, there are risks of the ship breaking apart, and the occurrence of fire or explosion during the operation.
The cause of the explosion or malfunction is unknown
It has not been confirmed whether the initial incident experienced by the ship was due to mechanical failure, sabotage, or an attack related to conflicts in the region. Reuters reported that the available data is insufficient to determine a definitive cause.
The CAROLINE BEZENGI case starkly illustrates the environmental and accountability issues surrounding the shadow fleet. When an aging tanker, uncertain flag relationships, hard-to-reach companies, sanctions barriers, and inadequate insurance converge in the same file, the question of who will command and finance the salvage operation becomes a matter in itself.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
