Beirut, Lebanon – Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has warned of a potential environmental disaster after two crude oil tankers collided between Iran and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n
Satellite imagery<\/a> indicates a large plume of oil stretching up to around 1500 hectares from the site of the crash between two vessels, \u2018Adalynn\u2019 and \u2018Front Eagle\u2019, in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, near the Strait of Hormuz.[1]<\/p>\n\n The 23-year-old Adalynn is part of the so-called Russian \u2018shadow fleet<\/a>\u2019, a collection of partially obsolete tankers that operate below basic security standards and carry Russian oil, though its current cargo is unknown. Analysis of the Adalynn\u2019s current 9.3-metre draught suggests it may be carrying approximately 70,000 tons of crude oil despite being officially listed in ballast condition.[2]<\/p>\n\n Farah Al Hattab, Campaigner at Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa, said: <\/strong>\u201cThis 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.”<\/p>\n\n The UAE Ministry of Energy stated that the collision between the two tankers resulted in limited surface damage to the outer structure of both vessels, and a fire broke out in the fuel tank of one of them, which was extinguished. No injuries were reported among the crew members, according to the Ministry.<\/p>\n\n Farah Al Hattab added: <\/strong>\u201cGreenpeace MENA urges all concerned authorities to act swiftly to contain the spill and assess its ecological impact. We call on shipping companies, governments, and oil industry actors to commit to full transparency regarding environmental consequences of oil spills and the measures being taken for cleanup. Additionally, we urge governments in the region to increase investment in maritime monitoring, early-warning systems, and contingency plans to effectively respond to future oil pollution incidents. Environmental security must be treated as national and regional security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n \u201cThe environmental fallout from this collision further highlights the urgent need to transition away from fossil fuels. Continued reliance on oil infrastructure leaves both people and the planet exposed\u2014to toxic spills, political conflict, and the accelerating climate crisis. It\u2019s time to rethink our global energy systems, shifting to renewable energy as not just a climate solution but a pathway to sustainability and resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n\n ENDS<\/p>\n\n Notes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n 1. Satellite image: Greenpeace Media Library<\/a> \u00a9 Planet Labs PBC \/ Greenpeace<\/p>\n\n 2. Sources: www.Q88.com<\/a> and seasearcher.com<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n