Strait of Hormuz Collision
On the evening of June 16, the 336 meter long, 156452 gt VLCC tanker Front Eagle (IMO: 9855343) collided with the 274 meter long, 164551 dwt Suezmax tanker Adalynn (IMO: 9231767) in the the Gulf of Oman some 22 nautical miles off Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates. The Front Eagle had departed from the Khor Fakkan anchorage fully loaded when it completed a starboard turn bound for Zhoushan. During the maneuver the Front Eagle struck the aft port quarter of the passing Adalynn. The collision resulted in a hull breached and massive fire on the Adalynn. The blaze quickly spread and consumed the superstructure of the tanker. With the fire out of control the 24 crew of the Adalynn abandoned ship and rescued by UAE National Guard. The fire had spread onto the deck of the Front Eagle. The crew of the Front Eagle were able to extinguish the fire. No reports of injuries.
Reports state the cause of the incident may have been a navigational error on the Front Eagle. However, there have been prior incidents of GPS signals being spoofed. UAE authorities have stated the incident is not “security related”. News accounts stated the fire continues to engulf the Adalynn. No word if UAE or other authorities in the area will attempt to extinguish the fire or just allow the tanker to sink.
