Oil Spill Reaches Omani Coast: Greenpeace MENA Says Stabilizing the Tanker and Offloading are of the utmost urgency

BEIRUT, LEBANON, August 13, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The oil spill from the grounded tanker "Caroline Bezengi," which has been stranded off Oman's Hallaniyat Islands for two months, has now reached the Omani coast, a development that heightens the severity of the ongoing environmental crisis and complicates the local response effort.

According to satellite image analysis, the spill expanded to cover an area of 1,700 square kilometers as of August 13. Oman's Environment Authority confirmed that oil has reached the shore at Ras Madrakah, roughly 200 kilometers north of the tanker's location, affecting an estimated 40 kilometers of coastline. Forecasts indicate oil may reach the southern coast of Masirah Island within hours.

Greenpeace MENA welcomes the escalation of the response by Omani authorities. The Environment Authority confirmed the deployment of response teams, including divers to inspect the tanker's hull, alongside additional aerial monitoring and satellite surveillance operations. Given the ongoing monsoon season and the area’s ecological importance, Greenpeace MENA stresses that the priority now must be accelerating efforts to stabilize the tanker, prevent further leakage, and safely transfer the remaining cargo as quickly as conditions allow.

Dr. Hanen Kaskas, Regional Campaigns Lead at Greenpeace MENA, said:
"The oil reaching the shore means the level of risk has risen significantly. The priority now is preventing the tanker from deteriorating further and securing what remains of its cargo before the damage widens. Time is a critical factor, with every passing hour, containing the pollution and protecting the coast and sensitive ecosystems becomes harder."

What needs to happen urgently?
Greenpeace MENA is calling for the following actions to be prioritized:

-Stabilize the tanker to prevent further leakage. Satellite images show the tanker is increasingly submerged, while the exact volume of oil already leaked versus what remains on board is still unclear.

-Safely offload the remaining cargo as quickly as conditions allow to reduce the risk of a much larger spill.

-Intensify containment efforts and protection of the coastal environment, including the Arabian Sea Marine Protected Area, established in 2025 to protect coral reefs, seagrass meadows, endangered sea turtle nesting beaches, migratory seabird breeding grounds, and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale population.

Greenpeace MENA expresses its solidarity with the Omani government and people, affirming that this is an extremely complex and difficult crisis that no country should be expected to handle alone. The organization renews its call on the international community to act urgently and mobilize specialized expertise, equipment, and resources to support Oman's response.

Keskes added: "The environmental risk doesn't end once the visible slick recedes. The effects of oil pollution can persist for years, as residues settle into marine sediments and continue impacting the ecosystem long after the surface slick disappears."
Greenpeace MENA continues to monitor the situation through satellite image analysis and will provide updates as new, verified information becomes available. Updates remain ongoing at this time.

Hiam Mardini
Greenpeace MENA
+961 71 553 232
hmardini@greenpeace.org
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