Gem No. 2 Tanker Strike Sends 35km Slick to Umm Al Quwain Coast

More than 35 kilometers of black oil now stretch along the coast of the United Arab Emirates, a distance that satellite imagery confirms grew rapidly over 72 hours. The slick originates from the Gem No. 2, a Panama-flagged crude oil tanker struck by an unknown projectile on 9 October. The impact ignited a fire near the town of Al Jazeera Al Hamra, just north of the Strait of Hormuz, forcing the crew to evacuate.

The spill began as a minor leak visible on 19 October. Radar data reviewed by MAIAR shows the volume expanded quickly over the next two days. By Friday, verified video showed the water near the northern city of Umm Al Quwain turning black as oil washed ashore. The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated on Thursday that it had "immediately began containment" to limit environmental impacts.

The slick extends toward Siniyah and Khor Al Beidah islands, a designated Key Biodiversity Area. This zone contains corals, seagrasses, and saltmarshes that support green turtles and the critically endangered Halavi guitarfish. Eoghan Darbyshire, a scientist at the Conflict and Environment Observatory, identified the proximity of the oil to this habitat as the "most concerning environmental angle" of the incident.

Prof Steve Widdicombe, director of the Sharjah Marine Science Research Centre, noted that marine life faces immediate threats from smothered seabirds and trapped turtles. He added that long-term exposure to toxic compounds could impair species reproduction. Researchers caution that it is too early to determine the severity of the damage, a factor that depends on the oil type, evaporation rates, and cleanup effectiveness.

Vanguard, a maritime intelligence firm, reported that the ship was hit while attempting to exit the strait. Iranian state media described the route as "unauthorized and dangerous." The Indian consulate in Dubai confirmed on 11 October that all 22 Indian crew members were rescued. Security experts describe the attack as part of an Iranian effort to assert control over the waterway in response to US military escorts.

The Gem No. 2 was among a record number of vessels attacked in the region at the start of October. Commercial ships have faced strikes from both Iranian and US forces amid the ongoing conflict. In August, a separate large spill reached Iran's Qeshm Island, threatening local fishing communities and protected ecosystems.