The UAE has condemned what it called a hostile Iranian attack after two ADNOC-affiliated vessels were struck by drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on August 14, according to Windward. No injuries were reported in the incident, which marks the second ADNOC-linked strike in under a week following an earlier attack reported by the UAE on August 8.
According to Windward, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the strike as a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2817. The two vessels involved have been identified as a Singapore-flagged oil products tanker of approximately 229 meters and a Liberia-flagged Aframax tanker, both linked to ADNOC Logistics and Services and both AIS-dark since July, according to the report. As of the time of reporting, neither UKMTO nor U.S. Central Command had confirmed the incident, and Iran had not commented, Windward noted.
Koh-e-Mubarak Confirmed as Evasion Hub
Satellite imagery collected on August 14 identified roughly 20 vessels — tankers, LPG carriers, and bulk carriers — at the Koh-e-Mubarak anchorage, assessed by Windward as engaged in sanctions evasion and ship-to-ship transfer activity. Eight OFAC-designated vessels were confirmed present, all tied to Iran-related sanctions designations, the report states.
One vessel was observed conducting an active ship-to-ship transfer with a dark 72-meter vessel, while another was found broadcasting a false identity. Windward, citing Vortexa data, reported that this vessel may be holding approximately 1.84 million barrels of crude in floating storage despite presenting a ballast appearance. A separate tanker arrived laden with roughly 616,200 barrels of naphtha from Sirik, Iran, declaring a destination of Sikka, India — a routing Windward flagged as suggestive of possible transshipment or misdeclaration.
Wider Regional Picture
Windward also reported continued dark vessel transits through the southern corridor, concentrated dark activity near Larak and Qeshm, and empty terminals at Kharg Island following the departure of a VLCC that had loaded between August 12 and 14.
Elsewhere, two additional Pakistan-flagged crude tankers transited Bab el-Mandeb toward Yanbu, bringing the confirmed total transiting the Houthi blockade unimpeded to four, according to the report. Separately, Windward found that 12 Saudi-flagged vessels are now rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope, up from eight previously, adding an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 nautical miles per voyage. Yanbu King Fahd port has remained fully AIS-dark for six weeks since July 27, with vessel counts exceeding the previously established range, the report noted.
Does this matter to you?
The developments detailed by Windward point to sustained targeting risk for tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz, alongside deepening AIS-dark activity that reduces independent verification of incidents. Vessel operators and charterers with exposure to Gulf routes, as well as bunkering and trading desks tracking cargo movements near Iranian anchorages, may find the confirmed presence of OFAC-designated vessels and floating storage activity at Koh-e-Mubarak relevant to compliance and screening processes. The continued expansion of Cape of Good Hope reroutes and the extended dark posture at Yanbu also carry direct implications for voyage planning and cargo scheduling tied to Saudi export logistics.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Windward
