A Comoros-flagged oil tanker went missing on 15 July after it seemingly capsized off the coast of Oman, with all 16 crew members, including 13 Indians and three Sri Lankans, now reported missing.
The Maritime Security Centre (MSC) of Oman made the announcement on social media platform X.
The Omani Defence Ministry has not yet identified the cause of the accident, although it is currently conducting search and rescue operations in the area.
A Comoros flagged oil tanker capsized 25 NM southeast of Ras Madrakah. SAR Ops initiated with the relevant authorities. #MaritimeSecurityCentre
— مركز الأمن البحري| MARITIME SECURITY CENTRE (@OMAN_MSC) July 15, 2024
The vessel, now identified as Prestige Falcon, owned by Netco FZE, overturned 25 nautical miles southeast of Ras Madrakah, close to the port city of Duqm in Oman.
A UK media outlet reported that India's navy had joined the search and rescue operations, and added that the vessel had transmitted a distress call around 10pm local time on Sunday.
Prestige Falcon is a tanker for the transportation of oil products currently sailing under the Comoros flag, with a total length of 117.4 meters and a breadth of 16.5 meters. The Comoros is a country made up of three islands located in the Indian Ocean between the African mainland and Madagascar.
Shipping records show it set sail from Al Hamriya Port in Dubai on July 9. Its intended destination was Aden in Yemen, and was scheduled to reach there on July 18.
The MSC told Reuters that the ship was still “submerged and inverted." The company did not verify whether the ship had stabilised, or if oil products had leaked into the sea.
The area near the recently awarded oil and gas permits in Duqm provides a direct road connection linking the oil fields on land and at sea, eliminating the need for bridges or tunnels.
“Duqm is the next growth opportunity for the integrated petrochemical industry and supply hub for the oil and gas industry,” as shown on the port’s official website.
Netco FZE did not immediately respond to Offshore Technology’s request for comment.
Oman is trying to develop its hydrocarbons sector, and late last year gas plant Oman LNG signed a supply deal with BP, as reported Oman News Agency.
Starting in 2026, the LNG will be delivered to the energy company for nine years.
The oil and gas sector represents over 70% of Oman’s income, and the country is “focusing on the strategic use and downstream activity of the resources,” said the Duqm website.
