Laden Frontline VLCC collides with shadow aframax tanker off Khorfakkan

A collision occurred at 1:14 am Dubai time overnight between two tankers, the Antigua Barbuda-flagged Adalynn aframax, part of the shadow fleet, and the Liberian-flagged Front Eagle VLCC, near the Khorfakkan anchorage in the Gulf of Oman. The impact resulted in a fire aboard the Adalynn and prompted the swift evacuation of its entire crew.

The incident highlights the persistent navigational challenges in one of the world’s busiest maritime arteries with clear GPS spoofing involved in the run-up to the accident, and comes at a time when ship operators are under increased pressure in the region thanks to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

According to MarineTraffic data, the five-year-old Front Eagle was laden with crude oil and en route to Zhoushan, China, at the time of the incident. The 23-year-old Adalynn had just departed from anchorage in ballast when the collision took place approximately 22 nautical miles east of Khorfakkan. While initial reports from social media and some maritime security firms suggested a third vessel might have been involved, playback data indicates that the collision was exclusively between these two ships.

Following the collision, the Front Eagle reported its status as Not Under Command. Eyewitnesses confirmed that the Adalynn sustained damage to its bunker tanks, leading to the onboard fire.

The UAE National Guard swiftly responded to the distress call. Early this morning, the Coast Guard of the National Guard successfully evacuated all 24 crewmembers from the Adalynn. The crew was safely transported from the incident site to the port of Khorfakkan using search and rescue boats. Authorities have confirmed that all crewmembers from both vessels are safe, and no casualties have been reported.

Officials state that, at present, no foul play is suspected, and the fires have been contained. An investigation into the cause of the collision is underway.

This incident occurs amidst recent warnings from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the US-led Combined Maritime Force’s Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) regarding increased electronic interference in the region, particularly near Iran’s port of Bandar Abbas, which has affected vessels’ ability to accurately transmit AIS positional data. Voyage playback shows the Front Eagle’s trip was clearly hit by GPS spoofing.