Muscat: Sohar Port and Freezone has issued a notification in reference to a statement by Oman’s Environment Authority (EA) about an oil slick found near Sohar Port.
The oil slick north of Sohar Port is said to cover an area of eight nautical miles and was expected to reach nearby beaches.
The port was alerted to take precautionary measures to combat the pollution as per the procedures mentioned in its emergency plan.
No threat
The notice by Sohar Port said that the oil slick that got washed ashore the North Batinah beaches is being tracked while emergency procedures have been activated to clean the port off the oil slick as well as the ships affected by the unexpected spill.
The port authorities also stated that the oil slick does not pose any threat to the arriving ships as the slick is found only in certain areas. A Mariners notice has also been sent warning the ships not to sail over the spillage.
Oman Environmental Authority confirmed that the source of the pollution is still unknown, and that the investigation procedures are continuing. Sohar Port has affirmed that all the measures will be taken to reduce the environmental damage and also ensure no operational discontinuity happens due to this.
