Greek-Owned Tanker Hit by Drone in Persian Gulf Near Strait of Hormuz

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Two Greek nationals, the captain and first engineer, are among the crew of the tanker. All crew members are reportedly safe.

A Greek-owned oil tanker was reportedly struck by a drone in the Persian Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz, amid a sharp escalation in attacks on commercial shipping in the strategically vital waterway.

The vessel involved is the VLCC New Andros, a large crude oil tanker that came under attack in the early hours of Wednesday.

Two Greeks are serving aboard the ship, including the captain and the first engineer. According to the information available, all members of the crew are in good health.

Photographs obtained by Greek media show the New Andros with its name clearly visible on the starboard side of the hull. A tugboat can also be seen directing powerful streams of water toward the vessel’s bow and forward deck.

There were no visible flames in the photographs. However, the presence of the tugboat and the firefighting operation indicate that emergency crews were responding to the incident.

The precise extent of the damage and the circumstances surrounding the strike have not yet been fully established.

New Andros caught amid wider attacks on shipping

The incident comes as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have intensified, with commercial vessels increasingly exposed to military activity in and around the Persian Gulf.

According to reports cited by Reuters, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced attacks involving 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz, including eight oil tankers.

There has not yet been public confirmation from authorities that the New Andros was among the vessels referred to in the announcement.

That detail remains a key question as authorities assess the incident and determine exactly what happened to the Greek-owned tanker.

Details of the Greek-owned tanker

The New Andros, IMO number 9294252, is a very large crude carrier (VLCC) capable of transporting approximately 302,500 deadweight tonnes of cargo.

Built in 2005, the tanker is approximately 333 metres long and 60 metres wide.

The vessel is registered under the Panamanian flag. Registration information lists Invincible Shipping Services Inc. as the registered owner, while the ship is managed by New Shipping Limited, associated with Greek shipowner Adamantios Polemis.

The incident therefore has particular significance for Greece’s shipping industry, given the country’s major role in global commercial shipping and the presence of Greek interests throughout the Gulf region.

Strait of Hormuz remains a major risk for shipping

The latest incident highlights the growing security risks facing vessels operating through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

The waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea and is a critical route for global oil and energy shipments.

With attacks and military incidents involving commercial vessels increasing, shipping companies and insurers are closely monitoring developments and reassessing the risks facing both vessels and crews operating in the region.

The situation involving the New Andros remains under investigation, while further information is expected regarding the nature of the drone attack and the extent of any damage to the tanker.

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