A new analysis conducted by a non-profit organization focused on environmental protection technology indicates that oil pollution in oceans has become a global dilemma. According to this analysis, over 1.58 million square kilometers of the world's oceans are affected by oil pollution each year.
Main Sources of Oil Pollution
This pollution is equivalent to three times the area of Spain and is mostly seen as small oil slicks that attract less public attention. The analysis indicates that about 81 percent of the identifiable oil slicks are linked to ships. Among these, tankers and cargo ships have been identified as the main culprits of pollution, while offshore oil and gas infrastructures account for about 18 percent of the remaining pollution.
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Areas with the Highest Oil Pollution
This analysis, published on September 23 during Climate Week in New York, was conducted using satellite observations collected between 2023 and 2025. Researchers modeled annual pollution from ships and marine facilities and found that over 90 percent of the estimated pollution occurs in national waters, particularly near coastlines. Some of the highest concentrations have been observed in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea.
According to this analysis, some ships have been repeatedly identified as recurring polluters. Researchers noted that 16 ships are consistently seen alongside oil slicks, including a cargo ship flagged in Palau and a Russian tanker.
Pollution in Protected Areas
Moreover, oil pollution is significantly present in protected areas as well. Although about 75 percent of marine protected areas have lower concentrations of oil slicks compared to their surrounding waters, pollution has also been identified in sensitive habitats. For example, the habitat of the Rice Whale located in the Gulf of Mexico has been severely affected by oil pollution.
This report also warns of the true picture of marine pollution, as satellite coverage in open seas is limited and large sections of the ocean are not well monitored. Wars, accidents, and ship sinkings also pose other threats to the oceans.
For instance, in August, oil pollution from a ship during the Gulf War reached the shores of Qeshm Island in Iran. Additionally, an oil spill from a tanker linked to the Russian shadow fleet affected over 2,000 square kilometers near Oman. Accidents are also other threats, including the sinking of an unknown ship near Tobago in 2024 that covered the shores with oil.
Overall, this report clearly shows that oil pollution is an ongoing global problem that is far greater than the spills that make the news.
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