Dynacom tankers hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Two tankers managed by Greek shipping company Dynacom Tankers Management were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, marking the latest attacks on commercial vessels in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate.

The product tanker Kavomaleas, sailing under the Maltese flag, was hit by an unidentified projectile about eight nautical miles northwest of Kumzar, Oman, at approximately 19:24 UTC, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency. The vessel caught fire and was left adrift after its crew abandoned ship and was rescued by a tugboat.

Shipping security firm Vanguard identified the vessel as the Kavomaleas. Freight data cited by Bloomberg indicated that the tanker had been chartered to load cargo in the Gulf over the weekend. Tracking information also suggested that the ship had sailed with its transponder switched off before reappearing on monitoring systems early Monday near the Musandam Peninsula.

A second Dynacom-managed vessel, the supertanker Acheloos, was also reportedly struck by a missile near the Omani coast at around 1:30 a.m. local time on July 20. No injuries were reported among the crew members aboard the Acheloos.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement hours before the incidents became public, claiming that four vessels had attempted to transit the Strait of Hormuz using what it described as a “dangerous route.” According to Iranian media reports citing the IRGC, the ships had disabled their transponders and ignored warnings. The statement said that two of the vessels suffered accidents and became immobilized.

The IRGC further alleged that the vessels received American support through interference with navigation systems. Dynacom Tankers Management did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The company is among a limited number of conventional shipowners that have continued operating in the Strait of Hormuz despite the ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that some of its vessels have transited the waterway with tracking systems turned off since early March.

The latest incidents form part of a broader series of attacks on commercial shipping since the IRGC declared the Strait of Hormuz closed to unauthorized traffic on July 11. The United States subsequently launched multiple rounds of military strikes against Iranian military facilities, targeting more than 80 sites after Iran allegedly attacked three commercial tankers on July 7.

Shipping activity visible in the Strait of Hormuz appeared to be nearly halted early Monday, according to Bloomberg data, underscoring growing concerns about maritime security and global energy supply routes.