Tankers and bulk carriers are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, Saturday, April 18, 2026. [AP]
A vessel operated by Greek shipping firm Dynacom caught fire after it was struck by two missiles 8 nautical miles northwest of Oman’s Kumzar overlooking the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security firms have said.
It is the latest in a string of attacks on oil and gas tankers since the United States and Iran escalated strikes across the Middle East on July 7 over control of the key conduit for a fifth of global oil supplies before their war.
“Vanguard is aware that the Malta-flagged tanker Kavomaleas caught fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz … at approximately 1924 UTC [10.24 pm],” British maritime risk management group Vanguard said.
Athens-based maritime-risk consultant Marisk said the Kavomaleas was hit by two missiles in the engine room. The strike caused a fire, which was brought under control by the ship’s carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system. The crew then abandoned the ship and were rescued safely.
