Reviews & Ratings for the Al-Salmi

**Title: Drone Strike Causes Fire on Kuwaiti Oil Tanker Near Dubai** In a dramatic turn of events, the *Al Salmi*, a tanker operated by Kuwait Petroleum Corp (KPC), was struck by an unidentified projectile late on March 30, 2026, approximately 31 nautical miles northwest of Dubai at Anchorage E (coordinates: 25° 31' N, 054° 52' E). At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying an impressive cargo of around 1.2 million barrels of Saudi crude oil and 800,000 barrels of Kuwaiti crude, bound for Qingdao. The drone attack ignited a fire onboard, prompting an immediate response from maritime firefighting units. Teams worked tirelessly throughout the night, successfully extinguishing the blaze by the morning of March 31. Thankfully, there were no reports of oil leaks or injuries among the crew of 24, though it remains unclear whether they were still aboard the vessel at the time. Damage to the *Al Salmi*'s hull was substantial, and technical assessments commenced shortly after the fire was put out to ensure the safety and integrity of the tanker. Speculation regarding the drone's origin suggests a connection to Iran, intensifying concerns over regional maritime security. Earlier the same day, the UK Maritime Trades Organisation (UKMTO) issued a warning after the container ship *Express Rome* (IMO: 9484936) reported sightings of two projectiles landing nearby within an hour's time northeast of Ras Tanura. Fortunately, no injuries or environmental damage were noted in either occurrence, marking these incidents as the first confirmed attacks in the area since March 22. For more details, including photos and video coverage of the incident, check the following reports: - [The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/31/kuwaiti-tanker-hit-by-iranian-attack-in-dubai-port-raising-oil-spill-fears) - [Søfart](https://www.soefart.dk/article/view/1220063/selskab_advarer_om_olieudslip_efter_angreb_pa_stort_tankskib_i_dubai) - [Instagram Reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWi-3eriEmn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - [RFERL Live Blog](https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protests-live-blog-trump-khamenei/33640284/lbl0lbi447557.html) - [Twitter Update](https://twitter.com/i/status/2038772426587201726) This incident raises significant concerns about maritime safety and the potential for further escalations in the region.

On July 6, 2025, at 10.12 p.m., the 'Al Salmi' was boarded by three perpetraotrs in pos. 1° 3.77' N 103° 37.33 E. while underway in the eastbound lane of the Traffic Separation Scheme of the Singapore Strait. No injuries were reported, and nothing was reported stolen.

The "Al Salmi" assisted Italian authorities in a massive ongoing effort to rescue a group of refugees off the coasts of Italy after it received an urgent distress call from the Italian Coastguard regarding illegal immigrants whose boats had capsized. The crew immediately contacted the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), which authorised the go ahead for a rescue operation. The vessel saved 225 people who were dropped off at Augusta on June 16, 2014. Most of the rescued were women and children, one of whom was dead, others requiring critical medical attention. The rescue efforts were continue as the total number of those stranded iwas s estimated at 624.