Crew Casualties in Hormuz Attack Iran Expands Blacklist

According to the UKMTO, a Strait of Hormuz attack on 31 August at 20:50 hrs UTC left two crew members on a tanker either dead or injured, marking the latest casualty in a series of incidents targeting commercial traffic.

The agency said it received a verified report of the incident, but did not specify whether the two seafarers were killed or wounded.

In prior alerts, the term “casualties” has often indicated fatalities.

The craft involved was transiting westbound when an unknown projectile struck the starboard aft ballast compartment.

Authorities in the region have been monitoring the situation closely, as the incident follows a string of attacks that began earlier in the month.

Tensions remain high.

Iran expands list of vessels under scrutiny

The PGSA announced the addition of 11 ships to a blacklist that already includes 45 vessels accused of breaching transit rules set by the country. The new entries raise the total to 56.

Most of the recently listed crafts are owned by companies in neighboring states. Four are registered to the United Arab Emirates, including two operated by ADNOC Logistics & Services, which have faced multiple confrontations in the waterway.

Four others belong to Saudi Arabian firms, three of which are managed by Bahri. The remaining vessels are linked to other regional operators.

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Blacklisting can lead to detention, confiscation, or financial penalties, according to the authority’s statement. Ship owners are urged to adhere to the prescribed navigation corridor and to submit required documentation before entering the passage.

Earlier incidents this month illustrate the heightened risk. On 30 August, the VLCC Senegal Prosperity was hit three times by rockets and was later abandoned while listing.

The tanker Burgan suffered damage to its starboard aft ballast tank on 26 August, and the Al Salam II ignited a fire after being struck on 25 August, which the crew managed to extinguish.

Two days before the latest casualty, the Liberian‑flagged Aframax Metro Venetian caught fire in its engine room after an attack on the Omani route, leaving the ship disabled.

These events have prompted shipping companies to reassess route planning and security measures, especially for vessels that rely on the southern corridor near Oman.

While the precise motive behind the recent strike remains unclear, the pattern suggests a strategic effort to pressure commercial navigation through the narrow waterway.

For observers, the escalation highlights the delicate balance between maritime commerce and regional geopolitical tensions. The ongoing situation may influence insurance premiums and affect global oil flow, given the strait’s role in transporting a significant share of the world’s petroleum.

Investigations into the source of the projectiles are underway.