Rogue tankers pose rising threat to global shipping routes
A MAJOR maritime collision off the coast of Fujairah has raised urgent safety concerns for vessels operating out of MILFORD HAVEN, one of the UK’s largest oil and gas ports.
The crash, which took place in the early hours of Monday (June 17), involved the VLCC Front Eagle, operated by Anglo Eastern, and a suspicious cargo vessel named Adalynn, widely reported to be part of the so-called “dark fleet” – a group of ships that sail with their transponders turned off, often transporting sanctioned oil.
Fire on both ships
According to the vessel’s owner, Frontline, a fire broke out on deck after the impact but was contained. All crew aboard Front Eagle were reported safe. However, satellite imagery showed intense flames on the Adalynn, and her condition remains unclear.
The incident occurred just 15 nautical miles from Fujairah and near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz – a vital chokepoint for global energy exports.
Milford crews could be at risk
While this event took place far from Pembrokeshire, maritime experts warn that the rising number of such incidents globally has serious implications for UK-bound vessels, particularly those approaching Milford Haven from oil-rich regions in the Middle East, Africa, or Russia.
“These dark fleet vessels operate unpredictably,” one shipping analyst told The Herald. “They may not appear on radar, don’t respond to standard maritime calls, and are often old, uninsured, and poorly maintained – posing serious collision risks.”
Recent shadow fleet incidents
The Adalynn collision is the latest in a string of dark fleet-related incidents. Other recent examples include:
- June 18, 2025 – Australia sanctions 60 ships: The Australian Government sanctioned 60 Russian-linked dark fleet tankers, citing safety and regulatory violations.
- May 13, 2025 – Baltic Sea standoff: Russian-linked tanker Jaguar refused inspection by the Estonian Navy, prompting NATO surveillance and military aircraft intervention.
- December 25, 2024 – Gulf of Finland cable strike: The shadow fleet tanker Eagle S severed the Estlink 2 undersea power cable after dragging anchor, prompting an investigation.
- July 2024 – Collision off Malaysia: The tanker Ceres I collided with Singapore-flagged Hafnia Nile, resulting in fires on both vessels.
These incidents underscore the growing hazards to compliant shipping, especially as shadow fleets multiply in the wake of global sanctions against Iran, Venezuela, and Russia.
Implications for Milford Haven
As a major hub for LNG imports, crude oil, and refined fuels, Milford Haven’s port operations are directly affected by the increased risks posed by rogue tankers during the approach and departure stages of international voyages.
While UK waters remain heavily regulated, vessels en route to Pembrokeshire often pass through high-risk zones such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and the Baltic Sea.
Port authorities, insurers, and vessel operators are now reassessing routing strategies, safety training, and emergency protocols to account for the rising presence of these unregulated tankers.
Investigation ongoing
The cause of the Fujairah collision remains under investigation by local and international maritime authorities. Preliminary findings are expected in the coming days, but early reports point to the likely failure of standard collision avoidance procedures due to one or both vessels operating without active AIS (Automatic Identification System).
A global issue, with local consequences
With more than 50 shadow fleet incidents logged since early 2023, shipping companies and port authorities across the globe are on alert. For Pembrokeshire’s seafarers and port operators, the message is clear: while the risk may lie thousands of miles away, the consequences could sail straight into Milford Haven.
