Oil tankers going dark to evade Iranian attacks raises major oil spill risk in Gulf - report

Three separate oil spills are spreading through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and the risk of additional spills is rising as the conflict around the Strait of Hormuz widens. Oil tankers are increasingly turning off their transponders to evade attacks, with 1,514 dark crossings since March 1, raising collision and spill risks. One spill reached Iran's Qeshm Island, likely from a ship hit near Oman, while another spread around an Omani nature reserve. Experts warn unsafe navigation will continue until Gulf states have infrastructure to bypass the Strait.

Three separate oil spills are spreading through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, and the risk of additional spills continues to rise as the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz widens, the New York Times reported. Oil tankers are increasingly disabling their transponders to evade attacks, with 1,514 dark crossings since March 1, according to maritime data firm Kpler. One spill reached Iran's Qeshm Island and its mangrove ecosystems, likely from the Minoan Pioneer, a Liberia-flagged dry bulk ship hit by a projectile near Oman on August 3. Another spill from the Caroline Bezengi, carrying 800,000 barrels of Russian oil, spread around an Omani nature reserve. A third slick near Sirri island is unverified. Experts warn that unsafe navigation practices will continue until Gulf states have infrastructure to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil tankers going dark to evade Iranian attacks raises major oil spill risk in Gulf - report