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Two Dynacom Tankers Damaged in Separate Incidents Near Hormuz
Two tankers managed by Greek shipping company Dynacom Tankers were damaged in separate projectile incidents while transiting waters near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, as renewed military tensions between the United States and Iran continue to affect commercial navigation in the Gulf.
The company confirmed that both vessels sustained damage during the incidents, while all crew members aboard the ships were safely accounted for.
Engine Room Fire Forces Crew to Leave Kavomaleas
Dynacom said the Malta-flagged Panamax tanker Kavomaleas was struck by two projectiles while sailing off the coast of Oman. The impact caused a fire in the vessel's engine room, prompting the crew to activate the onboard firefighting system.
Following the outbreak of the fire, the vessel's master decided to abandon the ship as a precaution. According to the company, Omani authorities located all crew members and transferred them safely ashore.
British maritime risk management company Vanguard reported that the incident occurred approximately eight nautical miles north-west of Kumzar, Oman. The tanker had reportedly been scheduled to load oil products in the Gulf later this week.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also confirmed that the vessel had caught fire but said there were no reports of pollution resulting from the incident.
Second Dynacom Vessel Also Hit
In a separate statement, Dynacom confirmed that its Liberian-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Acheloos was also struck by a projectile on the same day.
The company said every crew member remained safe and that the vessel proceeded to an anchorage where inspections and damage assessments could begin. No pollution or cargo release was reported.
Acheloos has a carrying capacity of approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil, making it one of the larger tanker classes operating in international energy trades.
Maritime Security Concerns Grow Around Hormuz
Greek maritime security firm Marisks said both Dynacom vessels were struck at roughly the same time while using the southern navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.
The incidents occurred amid increasing security concerns in the region. Earlier on Monday, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed that two oil tankers had exploded after attempting to use what it described as an unsafe southern route through the strait. The organisation made similar claims regarding two vessels involved in an incident the previous day.
At present, it remains unclear whether those statements are directly connected to the attacks involving the Dynacom-managed ships.
Separate Drone Strike Reported in the Black Sea
Dynacom later reported another incident involving one of its managed vessels outside the Gulf region.
According to the company, the tanker Asia was struck by a drone while at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in Novorossiysk on Russia's Black Sea coast. The crew extinguished a fire onboard before the situation escalated.
Dynacom said all personnel were safe, there were no reports of marine pollution, and the vessel had moved to an anchorage where technical inspections and damage assessments were being carried out.
Security Risks Continue to Challenge Sea Freight
The latest incidents highlight the growing security pressures facing commercial shipping in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Black Sea. While no pollution has been reported and all crews involved were safely accounted for, repeated attacks on merchant vessels continue to raise operational concerns for tanker owners, charterers and Sea Freight operators navigating these strategically important trade routes.
