US-Owned Tanker Attacked by Unmanned Boats

On Wednesday, March 13, 2026, two explosive-laden unmanned boats attacked the U.S.-owned Safesea Vishnu tanker in the Iraqi port of Khor Al Zubair, resulting in a fire and one fatality. The incident occurred while the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was loading 53,000 metric tons of naphtha, prompting its 28 crew members to abandon ship by jumping into the water. One crew member died, while the remaining 27 are safe and receiving assistance.

An early assessment by the vessel's owner, New Jersey-based Safesea Group, indicates the attack was deliberate. The Malta-flagged Zefyros, also involved in the transfer, was struck by a projectile during the same assault, though all 23 of its crew were safely evacuated. This incident is part of a broader pattern, with at least 16 tankers and other vessels attacked in the Gulf during the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

The U.S. Navy has reportedly declined numerous requests for military escorts through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for approximately one-fifth of global oil transport, citing high attack risks. This situation has led hundreds of vessels to anchor due to threats from Tehran. The Safesea Vishnu is currently listing, and a salvage team has been dispatched to stabilize the ship and mitigate environmental risks.