Six vessels struck in 48 hours as Gulf attacks intensify

March 13 ------ Attacks on commercial shipping are escalating as the Middle East conflict enters its 13th day. Overnight, Iranian explosive-laden boats reportedly attacked two fuel tankers in Iraqi waters, setting both vessels ablaze and killing one crew member.

In the past 48 hours, six vessels have reportedly been struck by projectiles or missiles, leaving several ships on fire and seafarers at the center of the unfolding crisis. To remind, on 11 March, three vessels were reported attacked. The Japan-flagged container ship ONE Majesty was struck by a suspected projectile, while the bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was hit while anchored, sustaining hull damage. The Thai-flagged vessel Mayuree Naree also suffered a strike which caused a fire and damage to the engine room. Three crew members remain missing and are believed to be trapped in the engine room.

Overnight on 12 March, two foreign oil tankers were set ablaze in Iraqi waters (reported as the Greek-owned chemical/product tanker Zefyros and the US-owned Safesea Vishnu) following an Iranian attack. At least one person was killed and 38 crew members were rescued. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident occurred approximately 5 nautical miles south of Al Basrah in Iraqi territorial waters, where a third party reported that two tankers had been struck by unknown projectiles.

The company security officer (CSO) of one of the affected vessels confirmed that the attack caused a fire onboard. The CSO of the second tanker also confirmed that the vessel was struck and that the attack caused a fire onboard.

As of the latest development, the Iraqi News Agency reported that crew members from the two vessels were rescued, with one fatality confirmed. Lieutenant General Saad Maan confirmed the rescue of 38 crew members, including one crew member fatality and reiterated that “this attack infringes on Iraqi sovereignty, and Iraq reserves the right to pursue the necessary legal measures.”

The incidents continued elsewhere in the region. UKMTO also reported an attack 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, marking the 6th attack in the last 48 hours, where the master of a container ship reported being struck by an unknown projectile that caused a small fire onboard. A full damage assessment has been hampered by darkness, but all crew members are reported safe and no environmental impact has been identified.

As of the latest official update, authorities are investigating the incidents and vessels in the region have been advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

In a statement released on 11 March, Joe Kramek, President and CEO of the World Shipping Council, highlighted that several seafarers have already lost their lives – seafarers who are not part of this conflict, yet they are increasingly caught in its path. "These are men and women who are simply doing their jobs at sea. […] We share the IMO Secretary-General’s call for urgent action to ensure the protection of seafarers and respect for freedom of navigation – seafarers must not be targets. Our thoughts are with the seafarers who have lost their lives, their families, and the crews still operating in the region under extremely difficult and dangerous conditions," said Kramek.

Between 28 February 2026 and 12 March 2026 (0800 UTC), UKMTO received 20 incident reports involving vessels operating in and around the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz (SOH), and the Gulf of Oman. Of these, 16 were classified as attacks and four as suspicious activity.

Source: safety4sea.com