UAE oil slick spreads toward Umm al-Quwain, with beach access restricted and damaged tanker identified as probable source

An oil slick off the United Arab Emirates is expanding toward the shores of Umm al-Quwain, and local authorities have restricted public access to several northern beaches. High-resolution satellite imagery shows the slick advancing toward the emirate’s coastline.

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Friday that containment teams were working to mitigate the leakage, but its statements did not identify the specific cause.

Maritime and energy analysts cited by Reuters identified the Panamanian-flagged tanker Gem No 2 as the probable source. They said the vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile last month while transiting Gulf waterways, sustaining heavy structural damage that caused crude oil to spill into surrounding waters before drifting toward the UAE coast.

Environmental groups have warned of long-term marine contamination, severe coral damage and risks to desalination plants across the Arabian Peninsula. The warnings have intensified amid heightened strikes targeting commercial shipping and energy infrastructure in the Gulf.