Drone Hit Liberia-Flagged Tanker Near Strait of Hormuz
The M.T. Al Maryah, carrying 19 crew members, successfully reached port following a drone strike on Sunday.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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The Liberia-flagged LPG tanker M.T. Al Maryah was struck by a drone while sailing eastbound near the Strait of Hormuz. All 19 crew members, including nine Indian nationals, are confirmed safe as the vessel remains anchored at Khor Fakkan.
Why it matters
The incident adds to ongoing security concerns for commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf, where multiple vessels have faced similar threats. Authorities have now identified nine vessels of Indian interest for potential evacuation from the region.
The regional fleet of interest includes 145 Indian seafarers across 13 vessels, comprised of six Indian-flagged ships and seven foreign-flagged carriers. Currently, nine of these vessels, including seven carrying fertilizer cargo, have been marked for evacuation.
The players
M.T. Al Maryah
This is a Liberia-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker that serves as a commercial transport vessel.
The details
The vessel M.T. Al Maryah sustained a strike while in transit but remained fully operational afterward. It has since completed its transit to an anchorage point at Khor Fakkan for further assessment.
Timeline
The drone strike occurred on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Market Landscape
This strike reflects a continued trend of volatility in regional shipping lanes that mirrors the security risks seen during the 2019 Gulf of Oman tanker attacks. These persistent threats force international fleet operators to manage heightened insurance costs and adjust transit protocols for crew safety.
Commercial shippers and logistics providers may face rising insurance premiums and stricter security requirements for transit in the Persian Gulf. Customers and industry stakeholders should expect potential scheduling delays for fertilizer and fuel shipments currently identified for evacuation.
The takeaway
Ongoing instability in the Persian Gulf necessitates that maritime operators maintain high-level security vigilance. Vessel owners should prioritize crew safety protocols and contingency planning for rapid evacuation in conflict-prone transit zones.
Further reading
Learn more about shipping safety trends in Oil and Gas.
Live Poll
Is it currently safe for merchant vessels to operate near the Strait of Hormuz?
