UAE Coast Ship Collision: Navigational Error Causes Fire, Oil Spill
In the early hours of June 17th, a collision occurred between the oil tanker ADALYNN and the cargo ship Front Eagle approximately 24 nautical miles off the UAE coast in the Gulf of Oman.
Incident Details
The UAE’s Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MoEI) confirmed the accident was due to “navigational misjudgment.” The collision resulted in minor hull damage to both ships, a small oil spill, and a fire broke out in the fuel tank of one of the vessels.
Response and Evacuation
Emergency teams quickly extinguished the fire, and there were no injuries reported among the crew members. The UAE National Guard evacuated the 24 crew members aboard the ADALYNN to the Port of Khor Fakkan.
Vessels Involved
The ADALYNN, a Suezmax-class oil tanker, was sailing towards the Suez Canal. The Front Eagle was carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude oil bound for Zhoushan, China.
Geopolitical Context
The incident occurred near the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway. Tensions remain high in the area amid regional conflicts and electronic interference.
UAE's Emergency Preparedness
This recent rescue highlights the UAE’s robust maritime emergency response capabilities.