A tanker belonging to the Russian “shadow fleet” was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz
30.10.2026 - 14:04
In the Strait of Hormuz, unknown persons attached two mines to the hull of the Louise 1 tanker, causing a fire in the engine room.
In July, this vessel was already attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea because of its involvement in the transportation of Russian oil, Reuters reports.
The incident occurred on Thursday, October 29, about 25 nautical miles (46 km) northeast of the Omani city of Khasab.
According to three sources of the agency, a small boat approached the Louise 1 tanker under the Panamanian flag, from which two contact mines were attached to the hull of the vessel. As a result of explosions in the engine room, a fire broke out, and the vessel temporarily lost its course.
The British center of maritime trade operations UKMTO reported that the fire was extinguished. All crew members are safe, no environmental pollution was recorded. After the incident, the tanker resumed movement to the next port.
It is not yet known who was behind the attack. According to two Reuters sources, this is the first known successful case of the use of such mines in the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war between the United States and Iran in February 2026. In September, an attempt to use such explosive devices was already recorded in the region, but then they did not detonate.
The maritime risk management company Marisks noted that the possibility of a small boat approaching a tanker while it was moving, installing explosives and leaving the area poses a serious threat to shipping safety.
Experts emphasized that such mines are relatively cheap and accessible, and the method of their use does not require sophisticated technology.
Reuters also recalls that in July 2026, the Louise 1 tanker was already attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea.
At that time, the Security Service of Ukraine stated that the vessel was involved in the transportation of Russian oil and was part of the Russian “shadow fleet” that Moscow uses to ensure oil exports.
The operator of the tanker is listed in shipping docks as Panama-registered Aquarius Maritime Ventures. Reuters could not immediately reach it for comment.
USM previously reported that the attacks in the Strait of Hormuz had driven up bunker fuel premiums by almost 10 times.
