Omani authorities continue efforts to contain oil spill from shipwreck off Hallaniyat Islands

- Specialized teams, daily weather monitoring, and emergency plans to mitigate pollution and protect the marine environment

Omani authorities confirmed on Monday that they are continuing efforts to address the incident involving the grounded oil tanker “Caroline Bezinger” in the Arabian Sea off the Hallaniyat Islands, within the jurisdiction of Dhofar Governorate, in order to minimize any potential impacts or risks to the marine environment.

In a statement, the Environment Authority and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology emphasized that they are coordinating with relevant authorities to ensure technical treatment of the spill, secure the vessel, and conduct continuous environmental monitoring, observation, and assessment. These measures aim to mitigate the risks of the incident, protect the marine environment, and ensure navigational safety.

For its part, the Environment Authority clarified that the latest monitoring and technical analysis revealed ongoing oil pollution in the marine area associated with the incident. A slick covering approximately 390 square kilometers was detected, extending northeast from the Hallaniyat Islands toward the mainland coast, with its closest point reaching a distance of about seven kilometers from the shore.

The Authority noted that monitoring and satellite image analysis showed the slick continuing to move along a similar trajectory, with an observed extension of approximately 449 kilometers along the path. It added that the slick is generally moving northeast, with projections indicating it could advance by about 121 kilometers over the next 48 hours, depending on prevailing marine and weather conditions.

The Authority stressed that the observed slick area of approximately 390 square kilometers “does not represent the quantity of spilled oil, but rather the geographical area where pollution was detected according to the latest monitoring and analysis.”

It emphasized that protecting biodiversity, marine habitats, and environmentally sensitive areas represents a “primary priority” in handling the incident, including efforts to identify areas most vulnerable to impact, such as coral reefs and turtle nesting sites.

Meanwhile, Dr. Abdullah Al-Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, stated that monitoring, observation, and environmental assessment results accurately and reliably show “no concern whatsoever” for critical infrastructure, including water desalination plants, aquaculture projects, and coastal economic and tourism systems, as seawater is continuously monitored by specialized technical teams within the Authority.

Al-Amri reassured the public that “there are no slicks or impacts threatening public safety,” noting that clear emergency plans have been activated to address all scenarios, ensuring protection against any potential effects. Specialized aircraft are currently conducting daily flights to track oil slicks and monitor their movement in specific areas.

For its part, the Ministry of Transport stated that work is being carried out in collaboration with all specialized technical teams from various national authorities, with the assistance of a specialized company to conduct technical inspections and continuous assessment of the ship’s hull condition and damage, identify spill sources, and determine appropriate technical solutions, including the safe transfer of the oil cargo.

On his part, Mohammed Al-Rouahi, Director General of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport, said that difficult weather conditions during the autumn season in the region have made technical operations to address the spill more challenging.

He added that ongoing operations include aerial surveillance, marine diving, and continuous field monitoring, alongside the development of technical solutions to safely transfer the ship’s oil cargo off-site. These efforts aim to mitigate the risks associated with the incident, ensure navigational safety, and protect the marine environment.

Several locations along the coasts of the Sultanate of Oman have recently witnessed attacks on ships and oil tankers amid regional tensions. During this period, the Omani Maritime Security Center, in coordination with other relevant authorities, worked to provide assistance, rescue crews, and supply emergency provisions.