Sonangol-Namibe

The ' Sonangol Namibe', enroute from Singapore to the Khawr Al Zubair LNG Terminal, ​was breached when being hit by a blast while anchored near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port in pos. 29° 34' N 048° 51' E, about 30 nautical miles southeast of the Kuwaiti coast, on March 5, 2026. The vessel was approached by an ​unknown small vessel at 01.20 a.m. LT at port ​side. A short time ​later a loud bang was heard. A ballast tank was breached and losing its contents. The unloaded ship remained afloat despite the damage at port side. The Bahamas flagged tanker is owned by Angolan state oil company Sonangol, but operated by Stena Bulk as part of the Stena Sonangol Suezmax Pool. Photo: https://x.com/GuptcharBrief/status/2029515670736847306

The "Sonangol Namibe" was boarded by 11 intruders in 5 boats during anchorage operations in pos. 17 37 05.4 N 083 19 12.0 E, at Visakhapatnam SPM anchorage on April 14, 2019, at 10 a.m. After the vessel had anchored the boats came alongside, threw a hook attached to a rope end onto the ship's railings and commenced boarding the tanker. The alarm was raised, the ship's horn was sounded, and the crew mustered on deck. The port authorities were also notified. The persons remained on deck and the crew prevented them from entering the accommodation area. They did not confront the crew but refused to leave the vessel. Finally, on seeing the approaching pilot boat, they left the vessel and fled the area. The tanker sailed from Visakhapatnam , on Apr 15 en route to Port-Gentil, Gabbon, ETA May 10.