The Sinokor Maritime-operated VLCC Senegal Prosperity has been abandoned in the Strait of Hormuz after its crew was evacuated following three strikes described in security reports as rocket attacks.
The Liberian-registered tanker, with a deadweight of 320,780 tonnes, was struck on its port side, in the engine room and in a ballast tank while transiting the strategic waterway.
According to an update from the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), the Senegal Prosperity was sailing southbound toward the Gulf of Oman and was approximately four nautical miles from the Omani coast when the incident occurred at 22:00 UTC on 30 August.
The vessel’s Company Security Officer (CSO) subsequently reported that all communications with the tanker had been lost following the attack. The ship was left dead in the water and listing to port.
The VLCC dropped anchor at position 2619N 05633E. Local authorities evacuated the crew, leaving the tanker abandoned in the Strait of Hormuz off the Omani coast. No casualties were reported among the crew.
The tanker’s last AIS transmission, according to data from Pole Star Global, was recorded two days earlier, on 28 August, offshore from Saudi Arabia’s Ju Aymah Oil Terminal. At the time, the vessel was reported to be laden.
Meanwhile, US forces carried out further strikes on 1 September against Iranian military targets in areas bordering the Strait of Hormuz.
US Central Command said the strikes targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions, including air defence sites, radar systems, maritime assets and facilities, mine-laying capabilities and communications sites.
According to US Central Command, the latest strikes followed recent attempted attacks by the IRGC against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz as well as against American service members.
