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Marine Oil Spill Monitoring near Qibliyah Island

A solution for event discovery, source localization, satellite confirmation, spill expansion tracking, and decision-ready situation awareness.

Latest situation

Forecast first. Evidence trail below.

The brief is ordered from the newest intelligence to the earliest public signal, combining prediction, satellite analysis, public news, and official statements.
Prediction
Prediction
Prediction

Oil Spill Drift Forecast

The simulation results indicate that, during the initial phase of the spill, the oil slick was jointly constrained by the topography of Jazirat Al Qibliyyah and the surrounding nearshore circulation, resulting in accumulation around the island chain. Around 14 July 2026, part of the slick moved beyond the nearshore circulation zone and entered an offshore transport pathway, leading to an increase in its northeastward migration speed. After 26 July, the slick advanced into a faster-moving surface current band, further enhancing its dispersion and long-range transport.
The model predicts that, after 10 August, part of the slick may continue moving north to northeast and gradually approach or enter the main surface-current corridor to the north.

Incident intelligence timeline

  1. News

    Oil slick becomes less visible, but the risk remains

    A PAX expert said the slick was less visible in newer imagery, possibly due to weather-driven dilution and dispersion. This does not mean the leak has stopped or the pollution has disappeared; the vessel, shoreline, and nearby waters still require monitoring.

  2. Satellite
    Peak Spill Extent Detection

    Peak Spill Extent Detection

    Reserved for the 20260807 imagery and algorithm analysis layer. Once available, this node can show the maximum visible slick extent, drift direction, affected shoreline, and follow-up monitoring recommendations.

  3. Mixed

    Visible slick expands as the vessel appears to sink further

    Greenpeace estimated the slick at about 600 square kilometers from August 4 imagery. AP-reviewed August 5 imagery showed the slick extending northeast from the vessel and around the island, while the vessel appeared to sit lower than on July 31.

  4. Mixed

    Oil slick enters a rapid expansion phase

    Based on August 2 satellite imagery, Greenpeace estimated that the slick expanded to about 150 square kilometers and drifted northeast. A PAX expert estimated the slick length at about 90 kilometers.

  5. Shoreline pollution indicators appear

    Shoreline pollution indicators appear

    Satellite imagery showed oil concentrated mainly in the bay northwest of the vessel, with thin slicks around parts of the island shoreline. AP published July 28 imagery provided by the European Space Agency.

  6. Satellite
    Expansion Assessment

    Expansion Assessment

    Reserved for the 20260726 imagery and algorithm analysis layer. Once available, this node can be compared with the public estimate of about 45 square kilometers.

  7. Oman reportedly orders owner to act within 24 hours

    Reports said Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology gave the owner 24 hours to remove the vessel and cargo, warning of possible legal action.

  8. Reuters reports suspected oil spill

    Reuters reported that the vessel was suspected as the source of the slick and consulted three independent remote-sensing experts, who said Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 imagery showed features consistent with an oil spill.

  9. Satellite
    Internal analysis
    Mid-stage Spill Delineation

    Mid-stage Spill Delineation

    Reserved for the 20260714 imagery and algorithm analysis layer. Once available, this node can show boundary changes, area comparison, main drift direction, and near-shore risk.

  10. Vessel condition reportedly deteriorates

    Maritime media reported that Omani maritime authorities boarded the vessel and found worsening conditions, including deeper settling, increased listing, and risks involving crude oil entering ballast tanks or double-hull spaces.

  11. Satellite
    Initial Satellite Detection

    Initial Satellite Detection

    Reserved for the 20260702 imagery and algorithm analysis layer. Once available, this node can add slick extent, direction, confidence level, and interpretation.

  12. Omani field inspection finds no visible oil pollution

    A technical team from Oman's Environment Authority inspected the grounded vessel and collected nearby seawater samples. The initial inspection found no signs of oil pollution at that time.

  13. AIS signal disappears

    The vessel last transmitted on public AIS systems from waters off Yemen. After that, the public track was interrupted, making the vessel's condition and subsequent drift or grounding difficult to follow through AIS alone.

  14. Vessel reports explosion and flooding

    The Indian Navy IFC-IOR weekly report recorded an engine-room explosion and flooding at 04:10 local time on June 6; later Reuters and AP reporting described the first abnormal report or explosion as June 8.

  15. Tanker departs port, establishing incident background

    Caroline Bezengi departed Russia's Novorossiysk port after loading crude oil. Public reporting indicated that the voyage was headed toward India.