Oman intensifies oil spill response as Ras Madrakah cleanup continues

MUSCAT: Oman is stepping up coordinated efforts to contain and monitor oil pollution caused by a grounded ship off the Al Hallaniyat Islands, with authorities conducting beach cleanup, environmental monitoring and impact assessments.

The National Committee for Emergency Management’s (NCEM) Hazardous Materials Sector, represented by the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) and the Environment Authority (EA), is intensifying operations in the Ras Madrakah area of Al Duqm.

CDAA Chairman Maj Gen Sulaiman bin Ali Al Husseini and EA Chairman Dr Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri visited affected shorelines on Friday to assess cleanup operations, review field developments and strengthen coordination between the authorities.

Specialised teams are being deployed to affected areas and locations requiring heightened readiness based on monitoring data and technical assessments.

On Masirah Island, authorities said monitoring continues as a precaution and no oil pollution has reached the island’s shores so far. Response equipment and machinery have been positioned on the island, while teams track the movement of the oil slick and update its projected trajectory.

Oman Environmental Services Holding Company be’ah has designated areas at the Al Duqm engineered landfill and a dedicated drop-off point at the Masirah transfer station to handle waste generated by beach-cleaning operations. The collected material will undergo technical assessment before appropriate disposal.

Meanwhile, the water sector has raised its operational readiness. Daily tests in Ras Madrakah and Al Duqm have confirmed that all water samples remain safe and within approved quality standards. Contingency measures are also being prepared on Masirah Island, including the readiness of coastal wells as alternative water sources should desalination plants’ seawater intakes be affected.

Authorities said the measures form part of Oman’s integrated national response to minimise environmental damage and protect the country’s marine and coastal ecosystems.