Strait of Hormuz Shipping Crisis Deepens as Two More Tankers Come Under Attack
Lagos, 22 September 2026 — The security situation in and around the Strait of Hormuz has deteriorated further following attacks on two commercial tankers on 20 and 21 September, adding to a growing series of incidents involving merchant shipping since the escalation of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The latest attacks underscore the increasing risks being faced by commercial vessels, shipowners, charterers, cargo interests and seafarers operating through one of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints.
The Strait of Hormuz remains critical to global energy markets, with substantial volumes of crude oil, refined petroleum products and LNG traditionally passing through the waterway. Although military authorities have continued to facilitate some commercial movements, independent shipping data indicates that traffic remains significantly below normal levels.
Two Tankers Attacked Within 24 Hours
The first incident involved the Liberian-flagged tanker Al Maryah, which was reportedly struck by a drone while sailing outside the Strait of Hormuz on 20 September 2026.
The vessel is owned and operated by ADNOC Logistics & Services. Reports indicate that the drone strike did not cause major damage to the tanker and that the main engine remained operational following the incident.
The vessel subsequently proceeded to and anchored at Khor Fakkan, UAE. All 19 crew members were reported safe, and there were no reports of pollution or significant environmental impact.
The incident is nevertheless significant because it demonstrates that the threat to commercial shipping is not necessarily confined to the narrowest part of the Strait itself. Vessels approaching or departing the waterway, including those operating in the Gulf of Oman and adjacent waters, may also remain exposed to attack or suspicious activity.
The second incident occurred on 21 September, when the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an inbound oil tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz had been struck by an unknown projectile.
According to maritime security reporting, the vessel was identified as the LR Stephanie, a crude oil tanker of approximately 72,825 DWT, reportedly registered in the Isle of Man and operated by Universal Tankers in Greece. Two crew members sustained minor injuries in the attack. Despite the incident, the vessel reportedly remained under its own power and continued towards its next port of call. No pollution was reported.
The latest attack brings the number of reported tanker incidents in the immediate period to at least four since 17 September, according to maritime security reporting, although individual incidents have involved different levels of confirmation and reporting.
A Growing Pattern of Attacks
The two latest incidents follow a series of attacks and suspicious activities reported by the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) and other maritime security organisations.
On 17 and 18 September, three tankers were reportedly attacked. In one of the incidents, a tanker suffered hull damage and a fire. The fire was subsequently extinguished, and all crew members were reported safe.
A further suspicious activity involving a tanker was also reported off Aden on 17 September, highlighting that the maritime security problem is extending beyond the Strait of Hormuz and into other strategic waterways in the region.
The continuing attacks have included the reported use or suspected use of drones, projectiles, surveillance activity and other forms of harassment against commercial shipping.
JMIC has described continued activity involving UAV overflights, targeted surveillance and VHF communications directed at merchant vessels. It has also assessed commercial traffic through the Strait as remaining at reduced levels.
This matters particularly from a ship-management and marine-insurance perspective because the risk is no longer simply whether a vessel can physically navigate the Strait. Owners must increasingly consider whether the voyage can be undertaken at an acceptable level of war risk, insurance exposure, crew risk, charter-party liability and commercial cost.
The Cost of the War So Far
The broader Iran war has already cost tens of billions of dollars.
According to the latest U.S. Central Command/Pentagon estimate provided to Congress, the U.S. military's cost of the conflict had reached approximately US$43.6 billion by 3 September 2026.
That figure includes approximately:
US$28.1 billion associated with replacing expended munitions;
approximately US$11.2 billion in incremental operational costs; and
approximately US$4.3 billion relating to damaged or lost equipment.
The estimate does not fully capture future costs or all infrastructure damage to U.S. facilities in the region.
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