The collision occured in the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz

A Frontline Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and a dark fleet suezmax tanker have suffered fires in the Gulf of Oman off Fujiarah in the UAE following a collision, according to Trade Winds magazine. 

The ships are Frontline's 300,000-dwt crude carrier Front Eagle (built 2020) and the 165,000-dwt Adalynn (built 2002), which is managed by Oceanpack Ship Management of Dubai, Trade Winds reported. 

The shipping magazine notes that the suezmax tanker Adalynnhas been accused by the Ukrainian government of being part of the dark fleet. Trade Winds reports that “an audit of 1,000 active ships blacklisted by major regulators has revealed that more than 80% have unknown insurance cover and pose a threat to safe maritime operations around the world. 

“More than half of the ships sanctioned have been targeted since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, according to an S&P Global Market Intelligence audit, which compiles shipping data for the International Maritime Organization.” 

The Antigua & Barbuda-flagged crude oil tanker collided with a Marshall Islands crude oil tanker, "resulting in a massive fire minutes after the collision, potentially caused by residual fuel, engine room, or cargo related ignition". 

The severity of the incident will be monitored closely, as the Gulf of Oman connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s largest transit routes. Last year, the annual flow of trade through the Strait was $1.4 trillion according to our ALPS Marine analysis. 

Fearnley Securities, which provides advisory services to investors and maritime companies worldwide, said spoofing of GPS signals has made the area more prone to accidents lately.  

It said:  "We don’t see this accident having a large impact on rates, as oil continues to flow relatively undisturbed. Pressure on rates is more related to owners demanding higher risk premiums and some opting to stay out of the Middle East Gulf."  

GPS spoofing can cause major disruptions to the shipping industry impacting safe navigation, leading to paralyzed shipping lanes and collisions.