Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has issued a warning over the threat of an environmental disaster after two crude oil tankers collided off the coast between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Satellite imagery shows a substantial oil slick, extending across roughly 1,500 hectares, emerging from the site of the collision between the tankers Adalynn and Front Eagle.
The incident occurred in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Adalynn, a 23-year-old vessel, is reported to be part of the so-called Russian “shadow fleet”— a network of ageing tankers that frequently operate below international safety standards and are used to transport Russian crude.
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Although officially listed as in ballast, analysis of the vessel’s 9.3-metre draught indicates it may be carrying around 70,000 tonnes of crude oil.
Farah Al Hattab, Campaigner at Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, said: “This is just one of many dangerous incidents to take place in the past years.
“The causes differ, but the result is often the same: oil spills endanger marine life, disrupt delicate ecological balances and possibly the entire food web, and carry the potential to spark widespread environmental damage that extends far beyond the immediate area.”
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According to the UAE Ministry of Energy, the collision caused limited damage to the outer structure of both ships. A fire ignited in the fuel tank of one vessel but was successfully extinguished. No injuries among the crew were reported.
Al Hattab urged a swift and coordinated response: “Greenpeace MENA urges all concerned authorities to act swiftly to contain the spill and assess its ecological impact. Environmental security must be treated as national and regional security.
“The environmental fallout from this collision further highlights the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. It’s time to rethink our global energy systems, shifting to renewable energy as not just a climate solution but a pathway to sustainability and resilience.”
Recently, the Fort Kochi Coastal Police filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the owner, captain, and crew of the Wan Hai 503 following the fire onboard.
