MSB 04/2026 - Security incident in the Arabian Gulf

12 March 2026

MARINE SECURITY BULLETIN –04/2026

Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters

Subject: Security incident in the Arabian Gulf

On 7 March, a mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) engaged in operations in the Arabian Gulf was struck by a drone in position 24-41.78N 053-48.38E. The strike caused a fire and explosion aboard the drilling unit, causing the crew of the unit to evacuate immediately. Tugs and crew boats assisted with the evacuation and the well was confirmed to be secured to prevent any environmental mishaps. 86 crew members were evacuated with 1 crew member reported injured with light burns to the arms and legs. The fire has been extinguished, and the vessel is pending a risk assessment to assess structural damage prior to having core crew members embark.

Liberian flagged vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf, Straits of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea (affected area) are to operate at security level 3 and implement all protective measures in their Ship Security Plan. Vessels in the ports of the affected area are required to act upon the security level set by the Designated Authority at those ports.

Dangerous military operations are taking place in the affected area and ships are advised to navigate with caution and avoid navigation within the affected area, if possible. Ships should maintain a listening watch on VFH channel 16 and be prepared to respond to hails or queries from U.S. military forces.

Recommendations

All owners, operators, and crews should remain cognizant of the elevated threat in the affected area and perform detailed, vessel-specific, voyage- specific and activity specific risk assessments for any operations or transit through the affected area. Additional guidance to the threats, mitigations and considerations to transiting this area are available in the Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) advisories: https://www.ukmto.org/partner-products/jmic-products.

All vessels should report to the UKMTO and register with the Maritime Security Centre for the Indian Ocean (MSCIO) in accordance with industry BMP (Best Management Practices) and take advice from the coalition forces operating in the area. Best Management Practices for Maritime Security (BMPMS) will continue to provide the necessary guidance for shipping to ensure threat and risk assessments are developed for every voyage to mitigate the risks presented by remaining

security threats in the region. The shipping industry will continue to monitor and advise on maritime security threats to assist the safe transit of vessels and seafarers.

UKMTO acts as the primary point of contact for merchant vessels and liaison with military forces in the region. Vessels are encouraged to register with UKMTO and report their positions (By email daily at 08.00 UTC) whilst operating in the area.

The MSCIO is the planning and coordination centre for the EU Naval Forces (EU NAVFOR). MSCIO encourages companies to register their ships’ movements before entering the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA).

All vessels transiting the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and North Araiian Sea are also encouraged to report to the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFCIOR), this is a voluntary reporting measure that promotes cooperation, stability and communication with partner stakeholders in the region as well as aligns with the most recent measures published in BMP MS. Vessels with voyages through this area can use the Vessel’s Reporting Form at IFCIOR’s website.

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Contact Information

In an emergency, vessels transiting the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea, should contact

NAVCENT Battle Watch Phone: +973-1785-3879; Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) Primary Watch Floor Phone: +973-1785-0033, Contingency Mobile Phone: +973- 3940-4523, Email: m-ba-cusnc-ncags@us.navy.mil.

Contact MSCIO prior to transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and the Red Sea.

The contact details of MSCIO are:

Maritime Security Centre – Indian Ocean (MSCIO) Email postmaster@mscio.eu

Telephone +33 (0) 298 220 220 +33 (0) 298 220 170

Fax +44 1923 958520 Website www.ukmto.org

When transiting the Western Indian Ocean, the Somali Basin, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman and Red Sea.

Register their vessels with UKMTO

Email: watchkeepers@ukmto.org and ukmto@eim.ae

Phone: +44 - 2392-222060, +971-50-552-3215 Fax +44 1923 958520

Please keep LISCR’s Security Department informed of any security incidents at:

Office of the Senior Deputy Commissioner of Maritime Affairs Republic of Liberia

22980 Indian Creek Drive, Suite 200 Dulles, Virginia 20166 USA

D: +1 571 495 5944 / O: +1 703 790 3434 / F: +1 703 790 5655

Email: Security@liscr.com

www.liscr.com