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Risk management firm Ambrey reported that it is coordinating the rescue of a tanker spilling Russian crude oil in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Oman, in what constitutes one of the worst spills in recent years.
The leak from the sanctioned vessel Caroline Bezengi, caused by an alleged attack in June, has spread uncontrolled for several weeks near a nature reserve and reached the Omani coast on Wednesday, August 12.
In a statement, Ambrey detailed that it has contracted a "leading international oil spill response company" and is collaborating with Oman and other involved parties to secure the tanker.
Although the firm did not disclose the identity of the contractor or set a deadline for the work, it specified that the operation deploys salvage vessels, aircraft, and specialists supported by 100 tons of equipment.
The Caroline Bezengi, with an estimated cargo of 800,000 barrels of Russian oil and under international sanctions, ran aground on June 30 after an alleged attack. Ambrey warned that the annual monsoon in the area is hindering rescue efforts.
The vessel remains stranded near an Omani marine reserve that is home to protected wildlife, including humpback whales and Socotra cormorants.
Oman's Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources reported that it is evaluating the impact of the damaged vessel on marine wildlife and local fishery products to ensure their commercial safety.
Authorities also advised fishermen to stay away from the spill area and report any unusual odors or evident changes in the water and marine species.
The merchant vessel first reported problems on June 8 off the coast of Yemen, after suffering what maritime sources described as an apparent explosion.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, the vessel was traversing two conflict zones on its journey from Russia to India. In April, it had sailed from the Russian port of Novorossiysk, in the Black Sea, a critical point in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
It is worth mentioning that the Government of Ukraine has carried out various attacks against the so-called "shadow fleet" that transports Russian crude oil, to which the Caroline Bezengi belongs.
Maritime tracking data shows that the vessel crossed the Suez Canal in late May before sailing off Yemen, where Houthi militants, aligned with Iran, have joined the regional conflict between the United States, Israel, and Tehran.
