Loss Prevention Advice
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An oil tanker reportedly exploded in the Strait of Hormuz on 26 July after striking a sea mine, according to multiple Iranian state and semi-official media outlets, which claimed the vessel had deviated from a navigation route designated by Tehran.
According to international news sources, Iranian reports did not identify the tanker, its flag or ownership, and provided no information on casualties or the extent of the damage. Iranian authorities said they had repeatedly warned vessels to use only approved transit routes through the strategic waterway, arguing that ships leaving the designated corridor would bear the consequences.
Senior Iranian officials have maintained that Tehran has the right to regulate navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that conditions in the waterway will not return to pre-conflict arrangements.
Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed it intercepted at least six vessels in the past 24 hours after they attempted what it described as “unauthorized” crossings, firing warning shots before forcing the ships to turn back.
The IRGC also said it had stopped another four vessels the previous day. These claims have not been independently verified.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the United States following recent military exchanges and renewed disputes over navigation rules in the Strait of Hormuz.
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Over the past week, 21-27 July, no incident of piracy or armed robbery against ships in Asia.
Area of concern
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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On 23 July 2026, the Council of the European Union adopted its 21st package of restrictive measures against Russia, amending Regulation (EU) 833/2014 and Regulation (EU) 269/2014. These measures were implemented in Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1848, Council Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1843, Council Regulation (EU) 2026/1844 and Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/1845, and published in the Official Journal of the EU.
The priority development for Members to note is that the EU has for the first time expanded the listing criteria to include vessels that service shadow fleet ships, whether or not designated. More broadly, the package comprises 218 individual and entity listings (170 entities and 48 individuals) including 94 Russian banks and financial institutions, which is the largest number of designations in a single package in four years, together with a range of sectoral, trade, financial and anti-circumvention measures.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2026/1848/oj/eng
and
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202601845
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Russia said it carried out strikes on the Ukrainian port cities of Odesa and Chornomorsk on 22 July, targeting port infrastructure and vessels it claimed were supporting Ukraine’s military operations.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the attacks hit a dry-cargo ship unloading at Chornomorsk, along with military cargo facilities and fuel storage sites. It also reported strikes on loading and storage facilities in Odesa, as well as cargo vessels allegedly transporting supplies for the Ukrainian military.
Russian drones were also said to have struck warehouses storing Ukrainian drones, Reuters reports.
The ministry later stated that Russian forces had targeted four cargo ships and a bulk carrier in the Black Sea and at Chornomorsk port, claiming the vessels were carrying military-related cargo.