Loss Prevention Advice
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Two maritime incidents involving merchant vessels struck with unknown projectiles in the Gulf region on 18 and 19 March.
On 18 March, an incident 11 nautical miles east of Khawr Fakkan, UAE, in which a vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire onboard. Vessels in the area have been advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious, while authorities continue their investigation.
Following the incident, Iranian forces carried out strikes on QatarEnergy’s energy facilities, at Ras Laffan Industrial City causing fires. In a separate but related development.
An incident 4 nautical miles east of Ras Laffan in Qatar, where another vessel was hit by an unknown projectile.
All crew members were reported safe and well.
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Note The Iran – US/Israel conflict that started on 28 February 2026 and the resulting fallout across the Middle East region seriously impacts the maritime industry and the major shipping routes through the Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz and into the Arabian/Persian Gulf.
Inevitably, shipowners are concerned about the safety of their vessels and crew with resulting considerations about the insurance implications. This note examines the impact on P&I insurance.
Full advisory at the following link.
https://britanniapandi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/War-Risks-Explanatory-Note-03-2026.pdf
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New tension is emerging in the shipping front, as Iranian forces struck a tanker in the Gulf of Oman, marking the first successful attack east of the Strait of Hormuz in nearly two weeks.
Following a brief 72-hour pause during which the Gulf and surrounding waters had calmed, on 17 March that a tanker off the UAE had been attacked. According to the report, a tanker located 23 nautical miles east of Fujairah, UAE, said that it was struck by an unknown projectile while at anchor.
Minor structural damage was reported, fortunately with no injuries to the crew and no environmental impact.
The incident follows recent drone strikes on oil facilities at the port of Fujairah. To remind, oil loadings at Fujairah were halted on 16 March for the second time in recent days, after a drone strike caused a fire in the petroleum industrial zone.
According to the UKMTO, between 28 February 2026 and 17 March 2026 (0800 UTC), the monitoring agency received 21 reports of incidents affecting vessels operating in and around the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman. Of these, 17 were classified as attacks and 4 as suspicious activity reports.
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Over the past week 10-16 March, no incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
An advises to ships shall to continue to intensify vigilance, maintain a sharp look-out while anchoring or transiting areas of concern, including the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, and report all incidents to the law enforcement agencies immediately; and the littoral States to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
Situation of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah
Situation update
For the 6th consecutive year, there has been no report of incident of abduction of crew in the Sulu-Celebes Seas and waters off Eastern Sabah. The last incident occurred on 17 Jan 2020. In January 2025, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), coordinated with other stakeholders and counterparts further downgraded the threat level of ‘Abduction of crew for ransom in the Sulu-Celebes Seas’ to ‘LOW’, meaning ‘No information or monitored activities suggest an impending attack; hence incidents are not expected to occur’.
In its Advisory on 14 Feb 2025 advised ships to “exercise vigilance when transiting the Sulu-Celebes Seas and report incidents to the Operation Centres of the Philippines and Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM)”. Also, to maintain communication with the relevant authorities when transiting the area.
Recommendations
Ship master and crew are to report all incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships to the nearest coastal State and flag State, referring to the Poster on the Contact Details for Reporting of Incidents of Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia, exercise vigilance and adopt appropriate preventive measures taking reference from the Regional Guide 2 to Counter Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia.