Seafarer killed as three tankers hit in Middle East

Having warned ships on 28 February that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to ships Iran have hit two more tankers in the regional following the attack on the Skylight off Oman, and a fourth vessel reported a near miss.     

The UKMTO reported that the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker was struck by projectile off Muscat, Oman. Ship managers of the MKD Vyom V.Ships Asia confirmed that one crew member onboard the vessel had been killed during the attack.     “It is with great sadness that we confirm one crew member, who was in the engine room at the time of the incident, has died. V.Ships Asia is in contact with the crew member’s family and is providing all necessary support. Our deepest condolences are with them during this extremely difficult time,” a statement from the ship manager said.     No other crew members were injured. The vessel was reported to have remained afloat following the attack and plans were underway to tow it to a safe location.

Gibraltar-flagged tanker Hercules Star was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 17nm northwest of Mina Saqr, UAE, according to the UKMTO. The Company Security Officer reported that it had caused a fire which had been extinguished and the vessel intended to continue on its voyage.

Maritime security firm Vanguard said that the Liberia-flagged tanker Ocean Electra was involved in an incident approximately 35nm west of Sharjah, UAE. An unknown projectile was reported to have exploded in close proximity to the vessel and crew were safe.      As commercial ships came under attack in the Arabian Gulf IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated: "I am deeply concerned by reports that several seafarers have been injured in attacks on merchant vessels. No attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is ever justified. These crews are simply doing their jobs and must be protected from the effects of wider geopolitical tensions.      “Freedom of navigation is a fundamental principle of international maritime law, and it must be respected by all Parties, with no exception.”

With US President Donald Trump telling the Daily Mail that the conflict could last another four weeks further casualties in shipping in the region would seem inevitable. In a separate video address Trump vowed to continue operations until “all objectives” are achieved.      Liner shipping representative body the World Shipping Council also stressed seafarer safety and freedom of navigation. “The safety of seafarers is paramount. Seafarers must not be targeted or placed at risk as a result of conflict, and the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation must be respected,” said WSC President & CEO Joe Kramek.  

The world’s two largest container lines MSC and Maersk joined CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd in publicly stating that they are suspending sailings in the Arabian Gulf.     

“All MSC vessels currently operating in the Gulf region, as well as those en route, have been instructed to proceed to designated safe shelter areas until further notice,” MSC said in a statement.     Maersk stated: “We are suspending all vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. As a result, services calling ports in the Arabian Gulf may experience delays, rerouting, or schedule adjustments.”

Meanwhile in an earlier incident Palau Ship Registry (PSR) said it no longer was the flag-state of the tanker Skylight that was hit 5 nm north of Khasab Port, Oman on Sunday injuring four of its 20 crew.

“PSR clarifies that the vessel was removed from the Palau registry in January 2026 in accordance with the Registry’s established compliance procedures and applicable regulatory requirements. The vessel was not registered with the Palau Ship Registry at the time of the reported incident,” the Registry said.     

The Skylight was sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Asset Control’s (OFAC ) Iran programme in December last year as was the vessel’s manager Red Sea Ship Management.