Oil Slick From Grounded Tanker off Oman Grows to About 1,300 Square Kilometers as Salvage Operation Begins

According to Al Jazeera, reported on Tuesday, 18 August 2026 (27 Mordad 1405), risk management firm Ambrey said a salvage operation has begun to stabilize the tanker Caroline Bezengi, a suspected member of Russia's sanctioned shadow fleet that has been leaking oil since it ran aground near Oman's Hallaniyat archipelago on 30 June 2026 (9 Tir 1405). Based on satellite imagery analysis by Greenpeace, the spill grew from 45 square kilometers in late July to about 1,300 square kilometers as of Wednesday, 12 August (21 Mordad), well above Omani authorities' earlier estimate of about 400 square kilometers.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said it is closely monitoring the situation. The International Oil Pollution Compensation Funds said they will not take part in the cleanup, citing a likely war exclusion. Ambrey said the salvage effort has been complicated by the annual Khareef monsoon, and environmental experts warned that the delayed response has reduced the chance of containing the source of the leak.