Tanker Caroline Bezengi runs aground, spills oil off Oman

The tanker Caroline Bezengi accident has entered the list of major environmental incidents involving the 'shadow fleet'.

Consensus

• The tanker Caroline Bezengi ran aground in June off the coast of Oman.
• The tanker was transporting approximately 800,000 barrels of crude oil from Novorossiysk, Russia, to Asia.
• The incident occurred after a series of unexplained explosions.
• Seven of the tanker's 12 cargo tanks are damaged, and the hull may collapse.
• Oil has reached the Omani coastline and threatens protected ecosystems on the Halaniyat Islands.
• The spill area exceeds 2,000 km² according to some estimates.
• The Caroline Bezengi is subject to sanctions from the EU, UK, Canada, Switzerland, and Ukraine.
• The tanker is linked to the Cypriot company Lagosmarine Ltd, which has regularly transported Russian oil to India and China.
• The accident is among the largest ecological incidents involving Russia's 'shadow fleet'.
• The insurer, AlfaStrakhovanie, is a Russian company under sanctions.
• Due to sanctions, rescue teams required special permission to access insurance funds.

Coverage (2 sources)

• Caroline Bezengi tanker accident enters list of largest environmental incidents with 'shadow fleet'. Damage covered by 'Alph... — Радио Свобода
• Caroline Bezengi tanker accident enters list of largest environmental incidents with 'shadow fleet'. Damage covered by 'Alph... — The Insider

Key entities

• Caroline Bezengi
• Alpha Insurance
• Lloyd's List