BASRA, Iraq — March 12, 2026 : Two commercial oil tankers were attacked late Wednesday night in Iraqi territorial waters near the southern port of Basra while conducting ship-to-ship cargo transfer operations, resulting in fires aboard both vessels and the death of one Indian crew member.
The incident occurred on the night of March 11, 2026, approximately five nautical miles south of Basra near Khor Al Zubair Port and the Basrah Oil Terminal, according to Iraqi maritime authorities and the Indian Directorate General of Shipping.
Attack During Ship-to-Ship Cargo Transfer
The vessels involved were the Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker Safesea Vishnu (IMO 9327009) and the Malta-flagged chemical and oil tanker Zefyros (IMO 9515917). At the time of the attack, the two ships were conducting a ship-to-ship (STS) cargo loading operation.
Preliminary investigation reports indicate that a white unmanned speedboat carrying explosives approached the starboard side of the Safesea Vishnu and rammed into the vessel, triggering a powerful explosion and a large onboard fire.
During the same incident, the Zefyros was struck by an unidentified projectile, which also ignited a fire aboard the vessel.
Maritime security sources and Iraqi port officials reported that the attack was likely carried out by explosive-laden unmanned boats, while Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated that the operation involved an “underwater drone attack.” Iraqi authorities have not issued a final attribution and investigations remain ongoing.
Vessel Specifications and Cargo
The Safesea Vishnu is a 73,976-deadweight-tonne (dwt) crude oil tanker built in 2007, measuring 228.6 meters in length with a beam of 32.57 meters and a gross tonnage of 42,010. The vessel is beneficially owned by the U.S.-based Safesea Group and was sailing under the Marshall Islands flag.
At the time of the incident, the tanker was carrying approximately 48,000 metric tonnes of naphtha. It had been chartered by an Iraqi company working with the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO).
The Zefyros is a combined chemical and oil tanker built in 2013, with a capacity of approximately 50,155 to 50,200 deadweight tonnes. The vessel was transporting condensate products from Basra Gas Company and was scheduled to load additional naphtha cargo at Khor Al Zubair.
Casualties and Crew Evacuation
The Safesea Vishnu carried a crew of 28 seafarers, consisting of 16 Indian nationals and 12 Filipino nationals.
Authorities confirmed that one Indian crew member was killed in the explosion. The remaining 27 crew members were evacuated safely.
The Zefyros had 23 crew members onboard, including Georgian nationals. All personnel aboard the vessel were evacuated without injuries.
According to Iraqi maritime officials, six rescue and firefighting vessels were deployed, and crew members from both ships abandoned the vessels before being rescued and transported to Basra.
In total, 38 seafarers from both ships were rescued and taken ashore.
Firefighting and Environmental Concerns
Iraqi Coast Guard units and port emergency teams deployed firefighting tugs to the scene. The fires on both vessels were brought under control by the morning of March 12.
Video footage circulating locally showed burning fuel leaking into nearby waters, though Iraqi authorities stated that no confirmed environmental damage has yet been officially reported.
Diplomatic Response
The Indian Embassy in Baghdad confirmed the death of the Indian sailor and stated that it is coordinating with Iraqi authorities regarding the repatriation of the deceased and assistance for the surviving crew members.
The embassy added that the remaining Indian seafarers have been moved to a safe location while further arrangements are made.
Impact on Iraqi Oil Operations
Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) confirmed the attack and described it as a threat to maritime navigation and Iraq’s economic infrastructure.
Following the incident, operations at nearby Iraqi oil ports and terminals were temporarily suspended as a precaution.
Maritime Security Alert
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a maritime advisory following the attack, warning ships operating in the northern Persian Gulf to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.
The attack occurred amid a series of reported strikes targeting commercial shipping in Gulf waters over the previous 24 hours, raising renewed concerns about the security of tanker traffic and energy supply routes in the region.
Investigations by Iraqi authorities and maritime security agencies remain ongoing as officials continue to collect evidence from the vessels and surrounding waters.
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