Tanker abandoned after fire in Strait of Hormuz

Two tankers were involved in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on November 7, with one catching fire and another reporting a projectile strike, according to maritime media reports citing UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).

The first vessel caught fire approximately eight nautical miles northwest of Khasab, Oman, prompting its crew to abandon ship. Its identity and the crew’s subsequent condition remained unconfirmed in the available reporting.

A second tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile while sailing out through the strait. All crew members aboard that vessel were reported safe. The reports did not establish responsibility for the incidents.

US says it disabled cargo ship in Gulf of Oman

US Central Command said an American military aircraft disabled a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman on November 7 after it allegedly made repeated attempts to breach the US naval blockade of Iran.

Reuters reported that the St Kitts and Nevis-flagged vessel had called at an Iranian port. According to the military statement, US forces instructed the crew to leave the areas being targeted before an aircraft fired precision munitions at the ship’s stern.

The Maritime Executive identified the vessel as the bulk carrier Huda. The allegations concerning its conduct remained the US military’s account; the available reports did not provide an independently verified assessment of crew injuries or the full extent of damage.

Iraq reports understanding with US on oil exports

Iraq has reached understandings with the United States to allow Iraqi oil exports through a shipping lane near Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said in an interview with Al Jazeera, according to Reuters on November 8.

The report did not set out vessel eligibility, operating procedures or an implementation date.

Separately, Iraqi energy officials said oil exports recovered to approximately 3.5 million barrels per day in October, up from 2.65 million bpd in September. That increase preceded the minister’s disclosure of the understandings with Washington.

Energy companies seek permission to use sanctioned tankers

Trafigura, Vitol, Mercuria and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) are discussing US licences that would allow them to purchase or lease certain sanctioned tankers, Bloomberg reported on November 8, citing people familiar with the matter.

The discussions cover approximately 50 vessels. US Treasury officials are reportedly reviewing applications, with any authorisations potentially issued individually rather than through a blanket exemption.

No final decision has been made, and the timing of any approvals remains unclear. All four companies declined to comment.

The discussions do not constitute sanctions removal or establish how many vessels would become additional capacity in the wider tanker market.

Los Angeles and Long Beach labour talks extended

Employers and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) Local 26 have extended their bargaining deadline to November 20, temporarily averting a potential strike involving approximately 250 maritime watchmen at Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The Pacific Maritime Association (PMA) said further negotiations were scheduled. A new collective bargaining agreement had not been announced, Reuters reported.

The watchmen handle terminal security, monitor cargo and control access for trucks and employees. PMA estimated that a strike could disrupt terminals handling approximately 85% of Long Beach’s cargo and 33% of Los Angeles’s cargo. Those figures describe potential exposure, rather than cargo already disrupted.