The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is undertaking containment and cleanup efforts following an oil spill offshore near the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, authorities said on October 23. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment confirmed that all beaches and coastal areas around Umm Al Quwain had been temporarily closed as technical teams assess the environmental impact and implement safety and marine protection measures. Fishermen and marine users have been urged to avoid the affected zones and adhere to official directives.

The spill is reportedly emanating from the oil tanker Gem No 2, which sustained damage earlier this month. Maritime security sources said the vessel, sailing under the Panamanian flag, was struck by an unidentified projectile on October 9, approximately 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera island, causing a fire that was subsequently extinguished. No party has officially claimed responsibility for the attack. This incident adds to a series of recent attacks on ships in Gulf waters, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz—a critical and volatile maritime corridor in the ongoing regional conflict involving Iran, the United States, and their respective allies.

Satellite imagery analyzed by independent researchers shows a significant oil slick, estimated to cover roughly 160 square kilometers, trailing from the damaged vessel. Prevailing currents have raised concerns that the slick could reach sensitive shorelines and critical infrastructure, including desalination plants supplying much of the UAE’s drinking water, as well as ports and industrial facilities along the northern coast. A maritime intelligence firm’s drift model projected that the slick might reach areas near Sharjah and Ajman by October 22-23 if the leak continues uncontained. Consequently, the authorities also temporarily closed Al Hamriyah Beach in the neighboring emirate of Sharjah as a precautionary measure.

Residents in coastal areas have reported detecting unusual odors linked to the spill, including in parts of Umm Al Quwain, Sharjah, Ajman, and northern Dubai. While the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment stated these odors do not pose health risks, the smell remained noticeable in some localities.

The spill occurs amid heightened tensions and frequent maritime incidents in the Gulf region. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy recently claimed it struck multiple vessels involved in alleged illegal oil transfers and detonated mines west of the Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC also issued warnings that continued provocations might prompt broader responses targeting U.S. military installations in the region.

Oil prices reflected these geopolitical risks, with benchmark Brent crude reaching near five-month highs, trading close to $115 per barrel. The situation underscores ongoing challenges to navigation safety and environmental protection in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. UAE authorities continue their containment operations and environmental evaluations to mitigate the impact of the spill on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.