A sanctioned tanker with Russian oil may have caused a spill off the coast of Oman
Kyiv • UNN
The tanker Carolin Bezengi, which was transporting Russian oil, likely caused an oil spill off the coast of Oman. The cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
A sanctioned tanker that was transporting Russian oil likely caused an oil spill in a protected marine zone off the coast of Oman. This is reported by Reuters, citing analysis of satellite images and conclusions of independent experts, writes UNN.
Details
According to the agency, the tanker Carolin Bezengi loaded Russian oil in Novorossiysk before its last voyage. The vessel last transmitted a signal via the AIS system on June 11 off the coast of Yemen.
Satellite images from Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2, taken from July 2 to 13, recorded a silvery-gray slick in a bay southwest of Al-Kibliya Island, which, according to three independent experts, shows signs of an oil spill.
The cause of the incident is not yet known
According to information from two sources in maritime security services, the vessel reported problems as early as June 8 near the Yemeni port of Mukalla. One source confirmed the fact of the spill, but its cause has not yet been determined.
Reuters notes that it is currently unknown whether the leak occurred due to a technical malfunction or as a result of possible damage to the vessel.
The European Union and the United Kingdom previously imposed sanctions on Carolin Bezengi for transporting Russian fuel. The tanker's owner and Omani authorities did not respond to Reuters' requests.