The LIPSI tanker, delivered just six weeks ago, was damaged by unidentified munitions in the Strait of Hormuz, but the crew is safe.
The 115,000 DWT LIPSI tanker, which was delivered from a shipyard in China only six weeks ago, became the target of unidentified munitions while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, operated by Greek shipowner George Prokopiou's Dynacom company, sustained damage in its engine room and began to drift, losing its propulsion capability. The crew has been reported safe.
New tanker attack in the Strait of Hormuz
Another attack on commercial vessels has occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical transit points for global oil transportation.
The Liberia-flagged LIPSI Aframax/LR2 class oil tanker was damaged on October 4, 2026, when it was struck by unidentified munitions as it exited the strait.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) announced in security advisory number 150-26 that a tanker captain reported that his vessel was hit by unknown munitions and that damage occurred in the engine room.
While the initial UKMTO statement did not specify the name of the vessel, maritime security company Vanguard Tech identified the attacked tanker as LIPSI.
According to information relayed by the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), the ship was struck in the port quarter shoulder area and lost its propulsion capability.
Only 41 days since leaving the shipyard
One of the striking aspects of the attack is that the targeted tanker has only recently entered service.
LIPSI was constructed at the Shanhaiguan Shipbuilding yard, which is part of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), and was delivered to Dynacom on August 24, 2026.
The shipyard completed the vessel 160 days ahead of the contracted delivery date.
The approximately 250-meter-long tanker is designed to transport crude oil and petroleum products.
The registered owner of the vessel is Hong Kong-based Sea 160 Leasing Co, while the ultimate economic owner is shown as Chinese CMB Financial Leasing. The technical and commercial management of the tanker is conducted by Greece-based Dynacom Tankers Management.
Thus, the newly built tanker was attacked just 41 days after its delivery in one of the world's most dangerous maritime passages.
The tanker began to drift in the Strait of Hormuz
In the NAVAREA IX navigation warning issued after the attack, it was reported that LIPSI was drifting approximately 3.9 nautical miles northeast of Jazirat Um Al Fayarin.
Other vessels in the area were warned to navigate carefully.
According to initial reports, all crew members on board were safe, and no marine pollution was detected.
However, details regarding the extent of the damage in the engine room, when the tanker might resume sailing, and the need for repairs were not clarified in the initial statements.
The type of munitions used in the attack and the party responsible for the attack have also not been officially identified.
Dynacom's third tanker hit in three months
The attack on LIPSI is not the first incident faced by Dynacom, owned by Greek shipowner George Prokopiou, in the Hormuz region.
The ACHELOOS and KAVOMALEAS tankers operated by the company were also attacked in the region in July.
The ACHELOOS tanker, with a capacity of approximately 306,000 DWT, was struck off the coast of Oman, while two munitions that hit the 75,000 DWT KAVOMALEAS tanker caused a fire in the engine room.
The crew of KAVOMALEAS evacuated the vessel following the fire.
With the attack on LIPSI, the number of tankers targeted by Dynacom in the vicinity of Hormuz has risen to three in less than three months.
Security alarm for commercial vessels in Hormuz
The series of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz has once again highlighted the security risks faced by shipowners engaged in oil transportation in the Gulf.
The China Shipowners' Association, in a security announcement issued after the attack, called on ship operators in the region to enhance their navigation safety measures.
The association specifically requested continuous monitoring of AIS and VHF communications, strengthening of bridge watch teams, and meticulous implementation of ship security plans.
UKMTO also emphasized that commercial vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz should navigate carefully and report any suspicious activities.
The attack on LIPSI demonstrates that even newly built modern tankers are not immune to the risks posed by armed conflicts in the region during a period when oil transportation continues in the Gulf.
A photo of the LIPSI tanker taken during its shipyard delivery.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
