Marine Security Bulletin: 09/2026 - Security incident in the Arabian Gulf

Dear Shipowners, Operators and Masters

Subject: Security incident in the Arabian Gulf

On 22 April 2026 at approximately 0650 LT, a cargo vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz from the East was approached and fired upon by an Iranian gunboat in approximate position 26⁰30’N 056⁰48’E. There was no VHF challenge or communication prior to the incident. While the vessel sustained damage to the bridge structure, all navigational equipment and machinery remain intact and operational and there were no injuries to the crew and no pollution reported. The vessel was later boarded by the Iranian authorities and ordered to sail to a nearby island close to Bandar Abass in Iranian territorial waters.

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.

Pending securing of the Strait of Hormuz traffic separation scheme (TSS) from potential mines and avoidance of this area, any planned transit through Oman territorial waters should be closely coordinated with authorities in Oman. Additional guidelines for mariners regarding how these measures will be applied in practice, including routing, verification, and authorized transit procedures are in development. Further clarification is expected to be provided through subsequent advisories as information becomes available.

Recommendations

Mariners are strongly advised to refer to the associated NTM or NAVAREA warning for authoritative detail, including geographic limits, conditions of transit, and inspection and authorization requirements. Vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz approaches, Gulf of Oman, and adjacent waters are advised to maintain heightened awareness, ensure maximum bridge readiness, and exercise appropriate caution with bridge-to-bridge VHF communications.

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 the 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.

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.

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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