The Carolin Bezengi tanker, which is under sanctions for transporting Russian oil, likely caused an oil spill off the coast of Oman.

The Carolin Bezengi tanker likely caused an oil spill in a protected marine zone off the coast of Oman, according to satellite imagery and independent expert analysis. The vessel, which is currently under sanctions for transporting Russian fuel, loaded its cargo in Novorossiysk before its last voyage. It 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 between July 2 and July 13, recorded a silvery-gray slick in a bay southwest of Al-Kibliya Island. While maritime security sources confirmed the spill, the specific cause remains undetermined. The leak may have resulted from a technical malfunction, damage to the vessel, or geopolitical conflicts. The tanker is owned by Shanghai-based Rentoor Shipmanagement. Both the owner and Omani authorities, including the Maritime Security Centre and Environment Authority, have not yet provided official comments regarding the incident.

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