Greek-owned oil tanker struck by drone near Strait of Hormuz

On the morning of September 9, 2026, the Greek-owned VLCC oil tanker New Andros was struck by a drone in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, specifically within Iraqi territorial waters. The vessel, which sails under the Panamanian flag, was reportedly transporting approximately two million barrels of Iraqi fuel oil at the time of the incident.

While early reports from Greek media indicated that the ship was being doused with water by a tugboat to address potential hazards, later information from Reuters confirmed that a fire broke out on the deck as a result of the drone strike. The fire was successfully brought under control with the assistance of Iraqi rescue vessels. All crew members, including two Greek nationals—the captain and the first engineer—are reported to be in good health with no casualties or injuries sustained during the attack.

This incident occurs during a period of heightening tensions in the Persian Gulf, marked by a surge in hostilities against commercial shipping. While the exact extent of the damage to the New Andros remains under investigation, the attack coincides with broader reports from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard claiming operations against multiple vessels in the region. Authorities have not yet provided a detailed assessment of the structural damage or a timeline for the vessel's future operations.