Gem No. 2 Tanker Spill Expands to 35km Slick Along UAE Coast
Oil from the stricken vessel has reached beaches near Umm Al Quwain, prompting closures and containment efforts as experts warn of risks to local biodiversity.
By Kavya Robinson ·
The oil spill from the crude oil tanker Gem No. 2 has expanded to a slick exceeding 35 kilometers along the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Satellite imagery captured on Wednesday confirmed the spread of the black tide from the vessel, which was hit by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz on 9 October. Authorities in the UAE announced on Thursday that beaches near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain were being affected, leading to the closure of several coastal areas to prevent public exposure.
The incident began when the Panama-flagged ship was struck by an unknown projectile just north of Al Jazeera Al Hamra. The impact triggered a fire that was later extinguished, but a leak had already formed. Verified footage from 10 October showed crew members donning lifejackets on a deck obscured by thick smoke. Iranian state media described the vessel as using an unauthorized and dangerous route to exit the strait. The Indian consulate in Dubai confirmed on 11 October that all 22 Indian crew members had been rescued safely.
Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard identified the ship as one of a record number of vessels attacked in the region at the start of October. Security analysts told BBC Verify that the strikes represent an Iranian strategy to assert control over the waterway. This move follows the US military increasing its escort of commercial vessels through the strait, a corridor where ships from both sides of the conflict have recently come under fire.
The environmental reach of the spill extends toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands. These locations form a globally recognized Key Biodiversity Area, supporting habitats such as corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes. The area is home to green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, described the spill's proximity to this zone as the most concerning environmental aspect of the incident.
Prof Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, stated that an environmental impact is inevitable. However, researchers note that the severity of the damage remains uncertain. Factors such as the volume and type of oil, evaporation rates, and the effectiveness of the cleanup will determine the long-term consequences. Spills can cause immediate harm by trapping marine life or smothering seabirds, but prolonged exposure to toxic compounds can also impair the reproductive abilities of various species.
The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said it had immediately begun containment operations to limit environmental impacts. Radar satellite imagery reviewed by BBC Verify and the intelligence firm MAIAR indicates the leak grew rapidly between 19 October and Wednesday. This expansion follows a similar incident in August, when a large oil slick reached the shores of Iran's Qeshm Island, threatening local wildlife and fishing communities.
The Gem No. 2 incident underscores the rising frequency of maritime conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz. With commercial shipping under threat from both Iranian and US forces, the risk of environmental damage to the Gulf coastline has increased. The current containment efforts aim to mitigate the spread of the slick before it reaches further sensitive ecosystems along the UAE's northern shore.
Source: BBC News
