One seafarer was killed aboard an oil products tanker in the Gulf after an explosion that the vessel's manager believes was caused by a missile attack.
The Marshall Islands-flagged MT Velos Sapphire was sailing unladen toward Bahrain when it was hit on Thursday, Greek management firm Velos Tankers said in a statement on Friday.
'The company is greatly saddened to report the death of one of its seafarers, who was found fatally injured on board after having initially been reported missing in the aftermath of the explosion,' Velos Tankers said.
No other crew members were injured. The crew extinguished a fire caused by the explosion, and there were no reports of pollution, the manager added.
The vessel was taken to Bahrain's Khalifa Bin Salman Port. An investigation will be launched, and the extent of damage to the hull is still being assessed.
What it means for shipping
For owners, charterers and brokers, the incident reinforces the exposure of unladen product tankers operating in Gulf waters. A fatality aboard a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel also brings crew safety and war-risk cover back into focus for operators scheduling voyages through the area.
Attacks in the Gulf typically prompt owners and charterers to reassess war-risk cover and routing decisions.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
