Oil tanker collision: Why ships are getting lost on radar in the narrow Strait of Hormuz, where one-fifth of the world’s oil passes

Two oil tankers caught fire after colliding 24 nautical miles off the United Arab Emirates’ east coast on Tuesday. Authorities said no crew member was hurt and no oil entered the sea. The UAE coast guard moved 24 people from the tanker Adalynn to Khor Fakkan port. The crew on the second tanker, Front Eagle, stayed on board as the blaze on its deck was contained. Owner Frontline said an investigation will follow, with no sign of outside interference.

Front Eagle was carrying two million barrels of Iraqi crude to Zhoushan, China, according to TankerTrackers.com. Adalynn, owned by India‑based Global Shipping Holding Ltd, had no cargo and was heading toward the Suez Canal.

Oil Tanker Collision: Navigation data shows sharp turn

TankerTrackers.com wrote on X that the Front Eagle “executed a starboard (right) turn, resulting in a collision with the port quarter (aft port side)” of the slower‑moving Adalynn.

Why the Oil Tanker Collision in Strait of Hormuz matters

The collision happened near the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow channel that carries roughly one‑fifth of the world’s seaborne crude. Any disruption here can unsettle global energy markets and maritime insurance costs. The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Data from Vortexa shows that 17.8 million to 20.8 million barrels of crude, condensate and fuels moved through the narrow passage each day between January 2022 and May 2025.

Electronic interference suspected

The clash came as ships in the Gulf report signal problems during missile exchanges between Iran and Israel. A U.S.-led maritime centre said it received reports of interference near Iran’s Bandar Abbas port and other Gulf areas. Windward, a shipping analysis firm, counted almost 1,000 ships affected since the fighting began. Its chief executive Ami Daniel said, “There is usually no jamming in Strait of Hormuz and now there is a lot.”

Iran silent on collision

Tehran, which has threatened before to close the strait in response to Western pressure, has not commented on Tuesday’s crash or on the wider reports of signal disruption.