A Monday morning attack on a port in Bahrain killed a shipyard worker, injured two more and damaged a U.S.-flagged tanker.
MT Stena Imperative, an oil tanker that is part of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Tanker Security Program, suffered damage after it was hit around 2 a.m. Atlantic Standard Time, according to a statement from Crowley, the company managing the ship. As a result of the damage, a fire broke out on the tanker.
One died in the attack, and two others were injured. There were no injuries to Stena Imperative’s crew as a result of the blaze, which has since been extinguished. A damage assessment is underway, according to Crowley.
“Safety of all people and vessels is paramount to Stena Bulk and Crowley and we are taking every necessary step to support their well-being,” reads the statement.
Stena Imperative is part of the Maritime Administration’s Tanker Security Program as of January 2025. The program is meant to ensure that a fleet of U.S.-based product tankers can compete in international trade, as well as provide the Defense Department with vessels to supply the armed forces during conflict or a national emergency, according to the program’s website.
While Military Sealift Command previously chartered the vessel, it is not currently under contract, a MSC spokesperson told USNI News.
It is unclear if Stena Imperative was the target of the suspected Iranian projectiles.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, the branch of the Iranian military that is tasked with the Strait of Hormuz, attempted to seize Stena Imperative in early February. USS McFaul (DDG-74) escorted the tanker after responding to the attempted seizure, USNI News previously reported.
On Sunday, the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) put out an advisory calling the risk of transiting the Strait of Hormuz critical, meaning an attack is almost certain to occur.
Four vessels came under fire Sunday, according to the JMIC. MT Skylight was attacked near Khasab, Oman, resulting in a fire and four crew injuries. Five Iranians are part of the 20 person crew, which evacuated.
MT MKD VYOM was struck about 44 nautical miles northwest of Muscat, Oman, resulting in a fire and one crew member death. The ship is being towed to an undisclosed location.
MT Hercules Star was struck 17 nautical miles from Mina Saqr, UAE. The tanker continued its journey under its own power.
MV Ocean Electra had a near miss about 35 nautical miles from Sharjah, UAE.
Tanker Trackers, which follows vessels that are blacklisted and considered part of the shadow fleet – vessels that often use fake registrations or other covert tactics in order to continue operating despite sanctions – lists Skylight as blacklisted by the U.S.
While the Strait of Hormuz is not closed to traffic, the number of commercial ships passing through its waters has dropped dramatically as companies assess war insurance and the additional costs, maritime expert Sal Mercogliano posted on social media site X.
