A very large crude carrier (VLCC) was involved in a collision with a dark fleet tanker off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, marking one of about a thousand vessels affected by satellite jamming since Israel launched an attack on Iran last Friday.
According to maritime data platforms Windward and Kpler, the 300 000 deadweight tonne (dwt) crude carrier Front Eagle collided with the 165 000-dwt tanker Adalynn.
The incident occurred near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, off the Khor Kaffan coast on the Gulf of Oman, resulting in fires aboard both vessels.
The Front Eagle was transporting two million barrels of Iraqi crude oil destined for China, while the Adalynn was reportedly empty and en route to the Suez Canal at the time of the collision.
This accident comes amid a surge in satellite signal interference in the region since Israel started its bombardment of Iran.
Both Windward and Kpler report that about 1 000 ships have been affected since last week’s daily missile barrage started.
The jamming and spoofing of Automatic Identification System signals have raised concerns over navigational safety in one of the world’s busiest and most geopolitically sensitive maritime corridors.
Authorities have described the collision as a navigational accident, with no evidence suggesting hostile intent.
However, the incident highlights the growing risks faced by commercial shipping amid electronic disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Both vessels sustained significant damage, and firefighting efforts were under way following the crash.
Further investigations are expected to determine the full cause and consequences of the collision.
