The thehindu.com, a sanctioned oil tanker grounded off the coast of Oman, is sinking increasingly deeper into the water while leaking crude oil that has spread across hundreds of square kilometers, according to satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press. The 274-metre (899-foot) Suezmax tanker has been stranded for weeks off Qibliyah Island, part of Oman’s Hallaniyat Islands in the Dhofar governorate.
Tanker Sinks Deeper as Spill Widens
By Friday, August 7, 2026, the oil spill covered nearly 800 square kilometers (309 square miles), according to Wim Zwijnenburg, an environmental expert for the Dutch organization PAX. This marks a sharp expansion from earlier weeks. Satellite imagery analysis cited by Nina Noelle, an environmental disaster expert at Greenpeace Germany, indicated that the spill covered 45 square kilometers (17 square miles) until July 26, expanded to roughly 150 square kilometers (58 square miles) by August 2, and extended across approximately 600 square kilometers (232 square miles) by August 4. Thick black patches of oil have reached the southern and western shores of Qibliyah Island, and an oil sheen has trailed northeast along the rocky coastline.
Environmental Threat in Protected Waters
The widening spill directly threatens a marine protected area within the Arabian Sea reserve. The affected waters serve as a habitat for endangered wildlife, including endangered petrels and the rare Arabian Sea humpback whale.
Greenpeace Germany warned of an imminent risk of an unprecedented oil disaster resulting from a broken tanker, citing devastating consequences for regional coastlines and marine ecosystems. Experts note that July and August mark the peak monsoon season, subjecting the grounded vessel to strong winds and rough waves. Zwijnenburg estimated that at least one section of the hull has been breached, while other maritime specialists noted the vessel appears to be listing, raising fears that it could break apart.
Origins and Sanctions Background
The Cameroon-flagged vessel is believed to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet, a network of aging tankers used to transport Russian oil and bypass Western sanctions. The newsday.com, the European Union, Canada, and Switzerland have sanctioned the ship. According to geospatial data tracking company SynMax Maritime, the vessel loaded crude oil at the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in May before beginning its voyage.
Maritime news outlets and shipping reports indicate the vessel ran into trouble on June 8 near the Yemeni port of Mukalla, where its crew reported an explosion on board. Zwijnenburg estimated that the tanker was carrying more than 800,000 barrels of crude oil.
Omani Response and Removal Deadlines
Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology had previously ordered the ship’s owners to remove the vessel and its cargo by July 23. It remains unclear whether that deadline was met or if the owners responded. Vessel owners are believed by Greenpeace and other reports to be based in Shanghai.
On Thursday, August 6, 2026, the government of Oman stated through the Oman News Agency that it was responding to the incident by observing the area through satellite images, field surveys, and technical models. The statement noted that teams were ready to implement necessary procedures to handle potential impacts on marine life and navigation safety, though it was not immediately clear if authorities had reached the tanker or initiated salvage operations.
