A vast oil slick is currently washing up on United Arab Emirates’ beaches, particularly along the stretch of coastline near Umm Al Quwain, some 45 miles north-east of Dubai. The news was reported by the UAE Ministry of the Environment, which stated that clean-up teams have already started working to contain the emergency.
According to Lloyd’s List, the pollution may be attributable to the Gem No.2, a Panamanian-flagged VLCC supertanker, which was hit by a drone on 9th October whilst at anchor off the coast of Sharjah. The attack is said to have caused a fire on board. On that occasion, the United Arab Emirates Coastguard rescued all 22 crew members.
Concerns over the possible environmental consequences are primarily related to the ship’s cargo. According to data from the analytics firm Vortexa, the tanker was carrying over two million barrels of crude oil at the time of the incident. Although UAE authorities have not officially attributed responsibility for the spill to the Gem No.2, some sources cited in the specialist press point to the ship as being the likely cause.
This is not the first time there has been an oil spill in the region. There is a previous incident dating back to the beginning of the year, when the Caroline Bezengi, an oil tanker subject to sanctions, was hit by what was believed to be a magnetic mine.
As a result, the vessel ran aground off the Hallaniyat Islands in Oman whilst carrying 800,000 barrels of Russian crude oil.
Translation by Giles Foster
