Three Tankers Hit in 48 Hours as Hormuz Shuttle Attacks Escalate

Three tankers including two VLCCs were hit by suspected Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz over Tuesday and Wednesday, threatening the specialized shuttle trade that moves crude from Arabian Gulf producers to global markets.

The Sinokor-owned VLCC Dominica Prosperity was struck by a projectile while waiting off the coast of Ras al Khaimah, UAE, according to India’s shipping minister, Sarbananda Sonowal. The UAE coast guard evacuated all 22 crew members, including 19 Indian nationals, after the strike caused a fire on board. Private security consultancy Vanguard Tech reported that firefighting operations continued after the evacuation, though the full extent of the damage remains unassessed.

The Fujairah Energy, a VLCC associated with UAE state oil company ADNOC, was hit on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to four crew members. A third vessel, the Aframax tanker NCC Fajr, was attacked on Wednesday with no injuries reported. India has taken the lead in disclosing these casualties, citing the high number of Indian seafarers working aboard the global tanker fleet.

Why it matters

These strikes target the heart of the trans-Hormuz shuttle trade, a high-risk service dominated by Sinokor and ADNOC. By hitting the Dominica Prosperity and Fujairah Energy, attackers are directly impacting the specific vessels and operators responsible for maintaining the flow of crude through Omani waters. This creates an immediate operational headache for charterers who rely on these shuttle services to move energy products to global markets.

The fire on the Dominica Prosperity indicates that these are not merely harassing maneuvers but strikes capable of causing serious hull damage and cargo risk. For shipowners, the Indian government’s decision to go public with these details breaks the usual pattern of operational silence. Owners often withhold attack data for security reasons, but India’s focus on seafarer safety means the industry can no longer rely on quiet diplomacy to manage the fallout of regional strikes.

The concentration of Indian mariners in the tanker segment puts the crew supply chain at risk. With four injuries reported on the Fujairah Energy and a full evacuation required for the Dominica Prosperity, the human cost is mounting. This likely forces a reassessment of crew safety protocols for any vessel operating in the approaches to Hormuz.

What to watch

Watch for damage assessments on the Dominica Prosperity to determine if the fire compromised the vessel’s structural integrity or cargo tanks. Any prolonged outage of a Sinokor VLCC will tighten capacity in the specialized shuttle market.

Source: The Maritime Executive