Aframax Hydra moves in to offload crude from stranded tanker Caroline Bezengi off Oman

An oil transfer appears imminent at the wreck of the sanctioned tanker Caroline Bezengi, stranded on the rocks off the south-western tip of Jazirat Al Qibliyyah, Oman. On 9 November the Maltese-flagged Aframax Hydra appeared on AIS just west of the island, and a tanker of similar 240-metre length was visible in satellite imagery. A second tanker may also be on site, along with two tugs and a multi-purpose offshore vessel.

The Cameroon-flagged Caroline Bezengi drifted ashore after she was hit off Yemen on 8 June, in what is believed to have been a limpet mine attack. She is sanctioned by the EU, the UK and the US, and has had a past association with the Russian state shipowner Sovcomflot. Her crew were taken off unhurt about four days after the explosion, reportedly by another sanctioned, Russia-linked tanker, the Aruba-flagged Noble Walker.

Appointed salvor Ambrey Salvage first monitored the hull, which was settling and developing a further list, and worked to reduce leakage. The leaks were stopped about two weeks ago, as reported at the end of October, probably by pumping oil from leaking tanks into intact ones. The end of the Khareef monsoon has brought calm and stable wind and sea conditions, likely to hold for the next week, so the remaining tanks can now be emptied.

The operation will protect the Hallaniyat Islands Marine Buffer Zone, home to endangered Arabian Sea humpback whales, spinner and Risso's dolphins, unique seabirds and loggerhead turtles, from further pollution. It could also recover as much as 650,000 barrels of crude, worth about $50m once dewatered.

Once the transfer is complete, the salvor may consider whether the empty tanker is light enough to be refloated. If she is not, the disposal of a heavily polluted wreck becomes a question for the Omani government.

This story is part of the Maritime Briefing of 11 November 2026.