Tanker

'Sponge of the sea': Israeli researchers develop aerogel that captures, breaks down oil spills

BGU researchers created an aerogel that could capture oil spills while helping oil-eating bacteria degrade the pollutants.

|ByJUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Israeli soldiers clean tar off the Palmachim beach following an offshore oil spill which drenched most of the Israeli coastline, February 22, 2021
Drone view of oil tanker HELGA berthed at one of Iraq's southern offshore oil terminals near Basra as it prepares to load crude oil, becoming the second vessel to arrive since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, April 24, 2026.

Panama tanker carrying Iraqi fuel oil struck by drone in Iraqi waters

Iraqi rescue boats extinguished a fire aboard the tanker, New Andros, and there were no reports of casualties, port officials told Reuters.

|ByREUTERS
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 17, 2026.

Saudi Arabia considers introducing cheaper insurance to increase shipping in Middle East - report

Saudi Arabia, like many countries in the region, has had its economy severely impacted by the war. The Saudi Finance Ministry is considering offering a cheaper insurance option to revive shipping.

|ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
FILE PHOTO: US Air Force planes on the tarmac of Sofia airport, Bulgaria, February 19, 2026.

Two US tanker aircraft leave Bulgaria a month after deployment upset Iran

The deployment of the aircraft, approved by Bulgaria's parliament on July 22, led to protests by nearby residents who feared the planes would be attacked by Iranian missiles and drones.

|ByREUTERS

UK sends HMS Defender warship to tense Middle East

It will join the HMS Montrose and HMS Kent. The Monstrose has already been involved in warning Iranian IRGC fast boats from approaching UK-flagged ships.

AUGUST 24, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A crew member raises the Iranian flag on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar

Iranian tanker switches destination, heads to Turkey

The Adrian Darya, formerly called Grace 1, was released from detention off Gibraltar after a five-week standoff.

AUGUST 24, 2019ByREUTERS
A crew member raises the Iranian flag on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar

New Iranian tanker headed to Syria in violation of US sanctions - Report

“The vessel is now headed to Dubai, where it will refuel before beginning a months-long journey around the horn of Africa, through the Mediterranean and to the shores of Syria.”

AUGUST 20, 2019ByBENJAMIN WEINTHAL, SETH J. FRANTZMAN
A crew member raises the Iranian flag on Iranian oil tanker Adrian Darya 1, previously named Grace 1, as it sits anchored after the Supreme Court of the British territory lifted its detention order, in the Strait of Gibraltar

Will Iran outmaneuver U.S. in hunt for Grace 1 tanker? - analysis

On Friday US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned mariners against crewing ships linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or others under US sanctions.

AUGUST 19, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A crew member of the Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 is seen on the bow as it sits anchored after it was seized earlier this month by British Royal Marines off the coast of the British Mediterranean territory

U.S. issues warrant to seize Iranian tanker off Gibraltar

The Grace 1 was seized by British Royal Marines at the western mouth of the Mediterranean on July 4 on suspicion of violating European Union sanctions by taking oil to Syria.

AUGUST 17, 2019ByREUTERS
A Spanish Civil Guard boat sails past Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 as it sits anchored after it was seized in July by British Royal Marines off the coast of the British Mediterranean territory on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria, in the Strait of Gibraltar, southern Spain August 13, 2019

U.S. bid to seize Iranian tanker halts its release from Gibraltar

The Grace 1 oil tanker was seized by Royal Marine commandos in a landing in darkness off the coast of the British overseas territory on July 4.

AUGUST 15, 2019ByREUTERS
A Spanish Civil Guard boat sails past Iranian oil tanker Grace 1 as it sits anchored after it was seized in July by British Royal Marines off the coast of the British Mediterranean territory on suspicion of violating sanctions against Syria, in the Strait of Gibraltar, southern Spain August 13, 2019

Iran says Britain might free oil tanker soon

One British official said that these investigations are a matter for the government of Gibraltar.

AUGUST 13, 2019ByREUTERS
Malta-flagged Iranian crude oil supertanker "Delvar" is seen anchored off Singapore March 1, 2012. Western trade sanctions against Iran are strangling its oil exports even before they go into effect, a U.S. advisory body has found, amid warnings that any shortages will only push up crude prices and

U.S. warns of GPS interference, communications spoofing in Persian Gulf

Ships in the area have reported spoofed communications from "unknown entities falsely claiming to be US or coalition warships."

AUGUST 8, 2019ByTZVI JOFFRE
A helicopter of Iranian Revolutionary Guard flies over Stena Impero, a British-flagged vessel owned by Stena Bulk

Iran's detention of UK-flagged tanker unacceptable, owner claims

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani warned on Tuesday that shipping might not be safe in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that "war with Iran is the mother of all wars."

AUGUST 6, 2019ByREUTERS
Undated photograph shows the Mesdar, a British-operated oil tanker in Fawley, Britain obtained by Reuters on July 19, 2019

Iran thinks it can do whatever it wants in the Gulf - analysis

Tehran has read the American playbook and through its recent actions is attempting to assert power in the Persian Gulf, power beyond just the areas controlled by its coastal waters.

AUGUST 5, 2019BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A Nour missile is test fired off Iran's first domestically made destroyer, Jamaran, on the southern shores of Iran in the Persian Gulf March 9, 2010