Sanctioned oil tanker Caroline Bezengi sinks further off Oman coast, threatening marine protected area with expanding oil spill

The sanctioned oil tanker Caroline Bezengi, carrying up to 1 million barrels of Russian crude, is sinking further off Oman's coast after grounding in June 2026. Satellite images show the vessel is increasingly submerged, and its leaking oil spill has rapidly expanded from 17 square miles in late July to over 300 square miles by August 7, 2026. The spill has reached Qibliyah Island, threatening the Arabian Sea reserve, a marine protected area home to endangered humpback whales and sea turtles. Environmental groups are urging immediate international intervention.

Caroline Bezengi tanker grounding

• ▪The Cameroon-flagged oil tanker Caroline Bezengi ran aground off Qibliyah Island, Oman, in June 2026 after its crew reported an onboard explosion on June 8, 2026.
• ▪The 899-foot Caroline Bezengi was carrying an estimated cargo of 800,000 to 1 million barrels of crude oil when it became stranded off the southern coast of Oman.

Oil spill rapid expansion

• ▪By August 7, 2026, the oil spill from the Caroline Bezengi covered nearly 309 square miles, according to PAX environmental expert Wim Zwijnenburg.
• ▪The oil spill from the grounded Caroline Bezengi expanded from 17 square miles on July 26, 2026, to approximately 232 square miles by August 4, 2026.

Russian shadow fleet sanctions

• ▪The Caroline Bezengi is believed to be part of Russia's shadow fleet and has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom, European Union, Canada, and Switzerland.
• ▪The Caroline Bezengi loaded its cargo of crude oil at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May 2026 before traveling toward the Middle East.

Arabian Sea reserve threat

• ▪The affected Arabian Sea reserve is a marine protected area hosting endangered petrels, nesting sea turtles, and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale.
• ▪The expanding oil spill from the Caroline Bezengi has reached the shores of Qibliyah Island, threatening the Arabian Sea reserve and its diverse marine life.

Vessel deterioration sinking

• ▪Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech reported that three explosions hit the Caroline Bezengi on June 6, 2026, flooding the steering gear compartment and pump room.
• ▪Satellite images from August 5, 2026, show the Caroline Bezengi has become noticeably more submerged than it was on July 31, 2026, amid peak monsoon season.

International containment assistance calls

• ▪Greenpeace Germany warned of an imminent risk of an unprecedented environmental disaster and urged Oman to request international assistance to contain the spill.
• ▪The Omani government stated it is observing the area via satellite and field surveys, and that teams are ready to implement procedures to handle potential impacts.