Salvage operation for stricken tanker off Omani coast begins

British maritime security company Ambrey said it has been engaged in the salvage of the stricken tanker Caroline Bezengi off the Omani coast and that salvage vessels are en route to support the operation, Reuters reports.

Ambrey said it was "working diligently with all relevant stakeholders", and had contracted the support of a leading international oil spill response company. It added specialist personnel have already boarded the vessel to assess conditions on board, and commence cargo stabilisation operations.

The Caroline Bezengi, which sails under the flag of Cameroon, has been immobilised off the coast of Oman since 8 June, when the ship's crew reported an explosion, though the cause of the incident has not yet been identified.

Several Western governments have said the ship is part of Russia's shadow fleet, used to transport sanctioned Russian oil since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The Omani environment authority said yesterday the oil spill had reached its coast, and that up to 40km of coastline were affected by oil polution. Last week, Greenpeace warned of the risk of an “unprecedented oil disaster”.