Al DUQM/MUSCAT: Integrated national efforts are continuing across various sectors of the National Committee for Emergency Management (NCEM) to address oil pollution caused by a ship grounding off the Al Hallaniyat Islands, through beach cleanup, continuous environmental monitoring and impact assessment.
The Hazardous Materials Sector of the Committee—represented by the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) and the Environment Authority, in coordination with relevant bodies — is intensifying operations to mitigate the spill's impact in the Ras Madrakah area. Specialised field crews are being deployed to affected and high-readiness zones based on technical evaluations and monitoring data.
Maj Gen Sulaiman bin Ali al Husseini, Chairman of the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority and Head of the Hazardous Materials Handling Sector at the NCEM and Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, conducted a field visit on Friday to the shorelines affected by the oil spill in Ras Madrakah area of the Wilayat of Al Duqm in Al Wusta Governorate.
The visit aimed to follow up on the progress of operations to address the effects of the oil spill, assess the latest field developments and review the efforts and measures being taken to manage the impacts of the contamination, in a manner that ensures rapid response and effective coordination among the relevant authorities.
These efforts are being undertaken through joint cooperation and coordination among the relevant entities, under the umbrella of the NCEM, with the aim of closely monitoring the field situation and implementing the necessary measures to contain the pollution's impact and safeguard the affected environment and coastal areas.
On Masirah Island, proactive monitoring and precautionary measures remain active. Authorities confirmed that monitoring data indicates no oil pollution has reached the island’s shores to date. Dedicated machinery and response equipment have been positioned on-site, while specialised teams track the slick's movement and update trajectory models to safeguard coastal and marine ecosystems.
Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (be’ah) has designated specific sites at the Al Duqm engineering landfill and established a dedicated drop point at the Masirah transfer station to handle beach cleanup waste. The collected materials will undergo technical evaluation prior to safe disposal. be’ah is also working with the EA and contracted operators to supply additional equipment and labour for cleanup tasks.
Meanwhile, the water sector has elevated its operational readiness in coordination with hazardous material teams. Daily water testing in Ras Madrakah and Al Duqm confirmed that all samples remain safe and within approved quality standards. Contingency plans are in place, including the preparation of beach wells on Masirah Island to serve as alternative water sources if seawater intakes for desalination plants are compromised.
Officials emphasised that these coordinated actions are part of a comprehensive national response strategy aimed at minimising environmental damage and protecting Oman’s marine and coastal areas.
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