Loss Prevention Advice
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Iran has blacklisted 45 tankers accused of violating its rules for crossing the Strait of Hormuz and warned that vessels conducting ship-to-ship transfers with them could also face penalties.
The Persian Gulf Strait Authority, a newly established Iranian body overseeing the waterway, said the listed vessels could be fined, detained and have their cargoes confiscated. The blacklist includes very large crude carriers, LNG and LPG tankers and clean-product vessels.
Iran did not specify which rules had been breached, but has previously said shipowners must obtain clearance to transit the strait and pay for security and other services.
The warning comes amid escalating tensions with the United States, which has threatened tougher sanctions against Iran and imposed a naval blockade on Iran-related shipping. Iran said any response to further U.S. threats would be “devastating.”
The authority said vessels seeking removal from the blacklist must submit requests and explanations to Iranian maritime authorities.
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Over the past week, 18-24 August, no incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
The 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. The littoral States are advised to increase patrols and enforcement in these areas.
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)”.
Recommendations
Ship masters 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.
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A report on 24 August of an incident involving a tanker approximately 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
According to the vessel’s Company Security Officer, the tanker was struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire on the vessel’s main deck. All crew members are reported safe and accounted for, and no environmental impact has been reported.
Vessels operating in the area are advised to exercise caution, maintain heightened situational awareness, and report any suspicious activity.
Further details were not immediately available.
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Commercial shipping in the eastern Black Sea faces extreme risk as daily drone attacks expand into neutral international waters.
Overview
Escalating drone attacks on merchant ships in neutral waters mean there is no longer a safe haven for commercial shipping in the region, unless these attacks stop completely.
Ukrainian drone forces have shifted their focus from the outer roads of Russian ports (at the beginning of August) to the international waters of the Black Sea.
The latest drone attacks on vessels heading to or from Russian ports occurred on August 26, 2026.
The only major exception is crude oil tankers loading at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal off Novorossiysk. Aside from the m/t SKIROS on August 17, 2026, tankers at the CPC terminal have not faced targeted strikes in the past several weeks, and the terminal operates normally.