<p>A British maritime risk and response company has been brought in to contain an oil spill from a grounded Russian shadow fleet tanker off Oman, as crude continues to spread toward the country's coastline and a protected marine area.</p><p>Ambrey, a UK-based maritime risk and response company, said its team, with assistance from the Omani air force, has boarded the Caroline Bezengi to assess the vessel and begin efforts to stabilise it. The 247-metre tanker ran aground off Qabiliyah Island after an explosion of unclear origin in early June.</p><p>The vessel is now increasingly submerged, raising fears that it could break apart and release much of its estimated cargo of more than 800,000 barrels of oil. "This is an extremely challenging situation, compounded by adverse weather conditions associated with the Khareef monsoon," Ambrey's global response director Ed Wollaston said.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-bears-responsibility-iran-wants-polluter-pays-rule-for-strait-of-hormuz-as-oil-slick-plagues-qeshm-1786582552036"><strong>'Who bears responsibility?': Iran wants 'polluter pays' rule for Strait of Hormuz as oil slick plagues Qeshm</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Oil reaches Oman's shoreline: Why it matters</strong></h2><p>Satellite imagery has shown the slick spreading across hundreds of square kilometres, with the oil now reaching the shoreline at Ras Madrakah, more than 200 kilometres north of the grounding site.</p><p>Oman's Environment Authority has warned that the pollution could travel another 100 kilometres north towards Masirah Island. The spill is particularly concerning because Qabiliyah Island's marine protected area contains coral reefs, seagrass meadows and breeding grounds for endangered turtles and migratory birds. It is also home to the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨🇴🇲 Oman: the CAROLINE BEZENGI oil spill has now reached the coast.<br><br>The slick has expanded to more than 2000 km², according to satellite imagery analysed by Reuters.<br><br>Marine risk and salvage specialist Ambrey is now involved in the emergency operation to salvage the grounded… <a href="https://t.co/UWkS0JZ5Ps">https://t.co/UWkS0JZ5Ps</a> <a href="https://t.co/q14maSKD2B">pic.twitter.com/q14maSKD2B</a></p>&mdash; Russian Forces Spotter (@TiaFarris10) <a href="https://x.com/TiaFarris10/status/2087895745164665259?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Oman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Oman</a>: Shadow fleet tanker Caroline Bezengi oil spill hits 2000km², fouling Ras Madrakah beaches near Shalim Wa Juzor. Uninsured ship drifted 3 weeks from Yemen via monsoon till grounding. Marine ecosystem under severe threat.<a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Geolocated?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Geolocated</a> at 17.4938, 56.3201 <a href="https://t.co/WQlFYKrjZA">pic.twitter.com/WQlFYKrjZA</a></p>&mdash; OSGINT (@posted_news) <a href="https://x.com/posted_news/status/2087990218339004720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Greenpeace campaigner Hanen Keskes said the arrival of oil on the coast could make the response far more difficult.</p><p>"It can make the cleanup significantly more complex than containment at sea," she said, warning that environmental damage could continue for years even after the slick is removed.</p><p><strong>Also read | </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-war-eating-into-america-s-drone-arsenal-us-has-lost-nearly-1-in-4-mq-9-reaper-drones-claims-report-1786683553521"><strong>Iran war eating into America's drone arsenal? US has lost nearly 1 in 4 MQ-9 Reaper drones, claims report</strong></a></p><h2><strong>Russian shadow fleet tanker to blame</strong></h2><p>The Caroline Bezengi is believed to be part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet, a network of vessels used to transport Russian oil while evading Western sanctions. Britain and the European Union have sanctioned the tanker over its alleged role in carrying Russian oil.</p><p>The vessel left Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May, according to SynMax Maritime. Its owners are believed to be based in Shanghai. The tanker is reportedly unflagged, while its insurance status remains unclear.</p><p>The remote location and rough seasonal weather are adding to the difficulty of the salvage operation. Ambrey has not said how long the operation will take or how much it will cost.</p><p>The Oman spill comes as another oil pollution incident is unfolding across the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran has reported contamination along the shores of Qeshm Island. Tehran has called for environmental protection to be included in any future arrangements governing the strategic waterway.</p>

A grounded Russian shadow fleet tanker off Oman is sinking deeper as an oil slick spreads towards the coastline and a protected marine area. A British maritime response company has now boarded the vessel to assess the damage and begin efforts to contain the spill.

A British maritime risk and response company has been brought in to contain an oil spill from a grounded Russian shadow fleet tanker off Oman, as crude continues to spread toward the country's coastline and a protected marine area. Ambrey, a UK-based maritime risk and response company, said its team, with assistance from the Omani air force, has boarded the Caroline Bezengi to assess the vessel and begin efforts to stabilise it. The 247-metre tanker ran aground off Qabiliyah Island after an explosion of unclear origin in early June. The vessel is now increasingly submerged, raising fears that it could break apart and release much of its estimated cargo of more than 800,000 barrels of oil. "This is an extremely challenging situation, compounded by adverse weather conditions associated with the Khareef monsoon," Ambrey's global response director Ed Wollaston said. Also read | 'Who bears responsibility?': Iran wants 'polluter pays' rule for Strait of Hormuz as oil slick plagues Qeshm Oil reaches Oman's shoreline: Why it matters Satellite imagery has shown the slick spreading across hundreds of square kilometres, with the oil now reaching the shoreline at Ras Madrakah, more than 200 kilometres north of the grounding site. Oman's Environment Authority has warned that the pollution could travel another 100 kilometres north towards Masirah Island. The spill is particularly concerning because Qabiliyah Island's marine protected area contains coral reefs, seagrass meadows and breeding grounds for endangered turtles and migratory birds. It is also home to the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale.

<p>A grounded Russian shadow fleet tanker off Oman is sinking deeper as an oil slick spreads towards the coastline and a protected marine area. A British maritime response company has now boarded the vessel to assess the damage and begin efforts to contain the spill.</p>

'Extremely challenging situation': UK firm joins rescue race as oil spill from Russian shadow fleet tanker spreads along Oman's coast

<p>Iran has called for environmental protection to be made a key part of any future arrangement governing the Strait of Hormuz, citing recent oil pollution along the country's southern coast. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on Thursday (Aug 13) said videos showing oil contamination along the shores of Qeshm Island had emerged in recent days. He said preliminary evidence indicated that the pollution came from a foreign bulk carrier.</p><p>According to Baqaei, contamination has been recorded at three coastal locations as well as across parts of the sea surface.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Footage filmed on Iran&#39;s Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz shows a significant oil spill on the island&#39;s Suza beach. Iranian authorities say they are investigating the cause of the spill.<br><br>Approximate location: 26.771330, 56.056013<a href="https://x.com/GeoConfirmed?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GeoConfirmed</a> <a href="https://t.co/yxh9wXLHqs">pic.twitter.com/yxh9wXLHqs</a></p>&mdash; Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) <a href="https://x.com/Shayan86/status/2087472178786652520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2><strong>Iran questions who will pay for the damage</strong></h2><p>Baqaei argued that the incident was only one visible example of years of environmental degradation affecting the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. He said the damage to Iran's coastal areas over the decades had run into trillions of dollars and questioned who should be held responsible for the cost of repairing it.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Why must addressing the environmental condition of the Strait of Hormuz and its surrounding waters form an integral part of any future administration of the Strait?<br><br>In recent days, videos have circulated showing oil pollution along the shores of Qeshm Island. This pollution… <a href="https://t.co/UpSWlqePvd">pic.twitter.com/UpSWlqePvd</a></p>&mdash; Esmaeil Baqaei (@IRIMFA_SPOX) <a href="https://x.com/IRIMFA_SPOX/status/2087641049858465917?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>The Iranian official pointed to several possible parties, including countries that consume energy exported from the region, shipping insurers, as well as nations involved in military operations in the Gulf.</p><p>"As the country with the longest coastline along the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, Iran cannot remain indifferent," Baqaei said. He added that all parties benefiting from commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have both a legal and moral responsibility to address environmental damage in the region.</p><h2><strong>Tehran links reopening of Strait to US demands</strong></h2><p>The comments came as Iran continues to tie the future of the strategic waterway to wider political and security demands.</p><p>Iran's newly appointed Supreme National Security Council chief Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran would not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets what he described as Iran's conditions.</p><p>Rezaei said Washington must end the war and blockade, release Iran's frozen assets, and agree to a region-wide ceasefire covering Lebanon and Gaza. "Until all conditions are met, the Strait will remain closed," he said in a post on X.</p><h2><strong>Why the Strait of Hormuz matters</strong></h2><p>The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints, carrying a major share of global oil and gas shipments.</p><p>Any prolonged disruption could affect energy markets, shipping routes and crude prices, while also increasing tensions between Iran, the United States and other regional powers. Commercial shipping is currently continuing under heightened security measures, but uncertainty remains high as diplomatic efforts focus on preventing a wider conflict and keeping the vital maritime route open.</p><p> </p>

Iran has demanded environmental safeguards be included in any future deal on the Strait of Hormuz, after oil pollution was reported along Qeshm Island. Tehran is also tying the reopening of the vital waterway to US concessions, including an end to the war and blockade.

Iran has called for environmental protection to be made a key part of any future arrangement governing the Strait of Hormuz, citing recent oil pollution along the country's southern coast. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei on Thursday (Aug 13) said videos showing oil contamination along the shores of Qeshm Island had emerged in recent days. He said preliminary evidence indicated that the pollution came from a foreign bulk carrier. According to Baqaei, contamination has been recorded at three coastal locations as well as across parts of the sea surface.

<p>Iran has demanded environmental safeguards be included in any future deal on the Strait of Hormuz, after oil pollution was reported along Qeshm Island. Tehran is also tying the reopening of the vital waterway to US concessions, including an end to the war and blockade.</p>

'Who bears responsibility?': Iran wants 'polluter pays' rule for Strait of Hormuz as oil slick plagues Qeshm

strait-of-hormuz-oil-spill

Strait Of Hormuz Oil Spill, News on Strait Of Hormuz Oil Spill, stories on Strait Of Hormuz Oil Spill, articles on Strait Of Hormuz Oil Spill, Strait Of Hormuz Oil Spill stories at Wion, Strait Of Hormuz Oil Spill news, Strait Of Hormuz Oil Spill latest news

strait of-hormuz-oil-spill

'Extremely challenging situation': UK firm joins rescue race as oil spill from Russian shadow fleet tanker spreads along Oman's coast

Iran adds shocking new demand for Strait of Hormuz reopening: Who will pay?