Oil Tankers Collide in Gulf of Oman, Fire Erupts off UAE Coast

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates National Guard evacuated 24 crew members from the crude oil tanker Adalynn on Tuesday after a collision with another vessel in the Gulf of Oman, just east of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
The Adalynn, a 165,000- dwt suezmax tanker managed by Oceanpack Ship Management of Dubai and bound for Egypt's Suez Canal, collided with the Front Eagle, a 300,000- dwt VLCC operated by Frontline, the world’s largest listed tanker firm. The incident occurred roughly 24 nautical miles off the UAE coast near Fujairah.
Satellite data from NASA's FIRMS system detected heat signatures in the area early Tuesday, indicating a possible fire on board one or both ships. UAE authorities deployed Coast Guard search and rescue teams, who swiftly evacuated all 24 crew members from the Adalynn and transported them safely to Khor Fakkan port.
Frontline and maritime security sources reported that both vessels sustained damage, though the full extent remains under investigation. British maritime intelligence firm Ambrey stated the incident was not related to current security threats, despite heightened tensions in the region due to the escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz, located just west of the accident site, handles roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day, about a fifth of global consumption, according to the US Energy Information Administration. The recent conflict has raised fears of a potential disruption in the strait, further rattling global energy markets.
Since Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iran, shipping through the Gulf has grown riskier. Many vessels have reported navigation signal disruptions and increased reliance on radar systems. Several shipowners, including Frontline, have announced plans to avoid new contracts involving transits through the strait due to rising threats.
Tuesday’s accident marks the second recent emergency response by the UAE, following the National Guard’s airlift of an injured seafarer from another tanker earlier this month.
As geopolitical tensions rise, oil prices have climbed steadily. On Tuesday, U.S. futures slipped amid broader market uncertainty, while Israel issued an evacuation notice to over 330,000 residents in Tehran, intensifying fears of regional escalation.