The Sovcomflot tanker, which was blown up near Yemen, ran aground: the oil reached the shore

The tanker Caroline Bezengi, sailing from Novorossiysk, was damaged when approaching the shores of Oman and ran aground. A leak started on the ship and the oil reached the shore. A British company is coordinating the rescue operation.

"Ambrey confirms its participation in the rescue operation to eliminate the consequences of the accident of the tanker Caroline Bezengi, located off the coast of Oman in the area of the Hallaniyat Islands in Dhofar province. Ambrey is actively cooperating with all interested parties, including in the Sultanate of Oman, and has engaged a leading international oil spill response company to cooperate," the British company reports.

According to her, a large-scale international operation is underway, involving rescue vessels, aviation and an experienced team of specialists with more than 100 tons of equipment.

"Rescue vessels to support the operation are on their way and will soon arrive at the scene. Specialists have already boarded the vessel with the support of the Oman Air Force (RAFO) to assess the conditions on board and begin stabilizing the cargo and the vessel. The operation is carried out during the "Harifa" period — the annual monsoon that affects the Dhofar region. This creates an extremely difficult situation on the high seas, where extreme adverse weather and sea conditions affect the stability of vessels, safety and pace of operations, as well as access to the work site," Ambrey said.

According to Reuters, the 274-meter tanker was sailing from Novorossiysk and first reported problems off the coast of Yemen in June — after, according to maritime sources, an explosion occurred.

The damage visible in the image published by Ambrey shows traces indicating a fire or explosion on board, but it is not yet possible to determine the cause, said Corey Ranslem, CEO of the marine safety group Dryad Global.

Some analysts suggest magnetic mines. The tanker passed the Black Sea, where the vessels are attacking the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as the Red Sea, where the Hussites staged a blockade of ships entering Saudi ports.

Neither side claimed responsibility for the attack on the ship, which was traveling from Russia to India, Reuters notes.

It is known that until 2020 the tanker Caroline Bezengi was called "SKF Altai" and until 2020 it was directly owned by Sovcomflot and its structures. The tanker can carry up to 159 thousand tons of oil, but was not fully loaded, as it did not show the maximum draft. According to Equasis, the vessel is now registered and managed by companies registered in China.