ABU DHABI, 31 October 2026 — The United Arab Emirates has brought an oil leak from the tanker GEM NO. 2 under control, state media reported on Friday, with authorities confirming that no new oil has leaked from the vessel and that coastal clean-up operations are continuing along the country’s northern coastline.
The Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure said technical teams had secured the leak at its source, according to the Emirates News Agency (WAM). Maritime and aerial surveillance, supported by satellite imagery, remains in place to track the remaining slick and monitor the vessel’s condition.
Leak stopped, slick shrinking
According to the ministry’s latest update, field assessments have detected no new leakage from the tanker, while the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) reported a significant decline in the intensity of the pollution observed at sea.
Satellite imagery available as of Thursday, 30 October, showed the remaining slick concentrated off the coast of Umm Al Quwain, with part of it extending towards coastal areas in Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman and Sharjah, state media reported. The environment ministry said containment, environmental assessment and coastal clean-up operations remain under way, with specialised teams continuing repairs to damaged sections of the vessel, restoring some of its operational systems and assessing its structural integrity to determine the safest way to handle it.
The operation is being coordinated by the energy ministry together with MOCCAE, the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and other federal and local agencies, officials said. Clean-up work relies mainly on mechanical oil recovery, with teams conducting field surveys, environmental monitoring and treatment of affected coastal areas.
Beach closures stay in place
More than 35 beaches and coastal areas across Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah have been closed or had access restricted since the spill was detected. All beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain remain temporarily closed, along with Al Hamriyah Beach in Sharjah and public beaches in Ras Al Khaimah, according to official updates.
Authorities stressed that the closures are precautionary and do not necessarily mean pollution has been detected at every closed location. The restrictions, officials said, are intended to protect public safety and allow inspection and clean-up work to proceed safely. No reopening dates have been announced for Umm Al Quwain or Ras Al Khaimah, and residents and visitors have been urged to follow official announcements before visiting coastal areas.
Dubai’s beaches are not currently included in the closures, according to the official updates.
Fish and drinking water declared safe
MOCCAE confirmed that fish and food products available in UAE markets remain safe for consumption, while Etihad Water and Electricity said preventative measures, including seawater monitoring and water quality testing, are in place and will not disrupt supplies to consumers.
The spill was first announced on 23 October, when MOCCAE said it had temporarily closed all beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain after detecting marine pollution caused by oil leaking from a tanker. The GEM NO. 2 was reported to have been struck by an unidentified projectile off the UAE coast on 9 October, causing a fire that was later extinguished, although authorities have not publicly disclosed the nature or cause of the incident.
Officials said all capabilities and resources remain mobilised to protect maritime navigation and the marine and coastal environment until affected areas are declared safe.
