Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker Oil Spill Near Oman Highlights Environmental Risks
A tanker from Russia's shadow fleet, the Caroline Bezengi, is reportedly leaking oil in a marine conservation area off the coast of Oman. This incident underscores the environmental dangers posed by older vessels used to circumvent Western sanctions. The tanker, which loaded Russian oil at Novorossiysk, last reported its location near Yemen on June 11. Satellite imagery from Copernicus Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 between July 2 and July 13 indicates an oil spill in a bay southwest of Al-Qibliyah island. Experts from SkyTruth, the Conflict and Environment Observatory, and Data Desk confirmed the imagery suggests an oil spill. The tanker is owned by Shanghai-based Rentoor Shipmanagement. The EU and UK have sanctioned the Caroline Bezengi for transporting Russian oil. Russia increasingly relies on such aging tankers to maintain petroleum exports amid international restrictions. 
