PGSA says three UAE-owned tankers hit after repeated unauthorized transits of Strait of Hormuz

The Persian Gulf Strategic Authority (PGSA) said in a statement posted on its official account on Thursday that several tankers have been hit in the Strait of Hormuz in recent days, and that the last three of them were owned or chartered by the United Arab Emirates. The authority identified the vessels as Al Ruwais, Sinbad and Mersin Prosperity, saying checks showed they had repeatedly attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz over the past two months.

The PGSA said the names of all three vessels appear in the latest update of its non-compliance list, which covers ships whose status or manner of passage has been found incompatible with the requirements set for safe and authorized transit of the strategic waterway. The statement came as reports said a supertanker had been hit in the Strait of Hormuz and was burning.

The authority has repeatedly warned shipowners and charterers that forcing vessels onto unauthorized routes creates the risk of financial and human losses for the ship, its owner, master and crew, and leads to serious restrictions on any future passage through the Strait of Hormuz. It added that charterers found to be pressing ships into illegal transit are themselves liable to be added to the non-compliance list, with passage of all their related vessels restricted.

According to the PGSA, vessels placed on the list face limits on future transits, including fines, detention or confiscation. The authority has also cautioned insurers, P&I clubs and classification societies against servicing non-compliant ships, warning of consequences for continued dealings with them.

The statement did not provide further details on the extent of damage to the three tankers or on any casualties. The Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for global oil shipments, and incidents there have previously affected shipping traffic and insurance costs. The PGSA said its measures are intended to enforce requirements for safe and authorized transit of the waterway. The report by Mehr News added that the authority has issued repeated warnings to shipowners and charterers about the risks of unauthorized routes.