The United Arab Emirates reported a collision involving two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, attributing the accident to navigational errors rather than the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The incident, which has raised security concerns for this critical shipping route, took place amid increasing reports of GPS jamming affecting vessels in the region.
The collision occurred in the Gulf of Oman, with the oil tanker Adalynn striking another tanker, Front Eagle, resulting in a small oil spill. The Emirati government confirmed that 24 crew members from the Adalynn were evacuated without any reported injuries among the crews of both vessels. The incident happened approximately 24 nautical miles off the Emirati coast.
Frontline, the Cyprus-based company that owns the Front Eagle, stated that a fire broke out on the ship's deck but emphasized that the incident was a navigational issue and not linked to regional conflicts. Both Iran and Israel have accused each other of jeopardizing maritime security and the global energy supply chain, with reports indicating that around 1,000 vessels have experienced GPS interference since tensions escalated in the Middle East.
Approximately one-third of the crude oil exported by sea and 20 percent of the world's liquefied natural gas transit through the Strait of Hormuz, making its security vital. Jean-Charles Gordon, a senior director at Kpler, noted that many vessels had reported navigational interference since Israel's recent military actions against Iran, leading to inaccurate positioning data.
Gordon described the interference as a form of electronic warfare, suggesting that if hostilities persist, these disruptions are likely to continue. The ongoing uncertainty has caused shipping costs to rise, with freight rates in the Persian Gulf reportedly doubling in recent days, according to Jeff McGee of Makai Marine Advisors.
Environmental group Greenpeace highlighted the potential ecological impact, revealing satellite images of a large oil spill extending up to 1,500 hectares. Farah Al Hattab, a campaigner with the organization, expressed concern that such spills pose threats to marine life and can result in significant environmental harm.