What Crew Members Say About Seastar-Iii

A significant fire erupted aboard the 'Sea Star III' on May 11, just a few days following its engagement by a U.S. Navy fighter jet during a blockade enforcement operation in the Gulf of Oman. Flames and scorch marks were detected near the funnel section of this uninsured tanker, owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC). The incident unfolded on May 8, when an F/A-18 Super Hornet from the USS 'George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)' targeted the VLCC at coordinates 25.63345, 57.92449. This confrontation took place near the port of Bandar-e Jask in the eastern Gulf of Oman, situated just outside the critical Strait of Hormuz, after the vessel reportedly disregarded Navy directives. For further visuals, check out the attached photos: https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/2053941352199758119.

On May 8, 2026, U.S. military forces successfully disabled two tankers, the 'Sea Star III' and 'Sevda', in the Gulf of Oman, amidst escalating tensions related to Iran's naval blockade. The operation saw both vessels intercepted before they could reach Iranian waters. CENTCOM confirmed that precision strikes were executed, specifically targeting the smokestacks of the vessels to thwart their transit. The tankers were located east of Bandar e-Jask, with average coordinates of 25.62448, 57.93673 at the time of the operation. Notably, the 'Sea Star III' was towing a tugboat, while the 'Sevda' was engulfed in flames during the engagement.

In a significant development for Iran's oil transport capabilities, China's Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding has successfully delivered the PANDA, marking the first of twelve state-of-the-art Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) to the Islamic Republic. With this delivery, Iran gains enhanced capacity to move its oil supplies to Asian markets. However, questions linger regarding the vessel's ability to dock at international ports given the existing regulatory environment. As the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) grapples with stretched shipping resources, the introduction of the 318,000 deadweight ton PANDA into the Persian Gulf in early October is anticipated to alleviate some logistical pressures. The vessel departed from the Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding facility on September 18, though its original expected delivery in May was postponed due to sanctions. In addition to the PANDA, another VLCC, the Souvenir, is currently undergoing sea trials in China, but its timeline for commencing commercial operations remains uncertain. A Singapore-based shipping executive, who wished to remain anonymous due to authorization restrictions, commented on the situation, stating, "The first of Iran's VLCCs is on its way to Iran. It’s uncertain how the tanker is being insured given the Western sanctions, yet I'm confident Iran has found a viable solution." Looking ahead, seven additional VLCCs are expected to be delivered by year-end, with the remaining four vessels constructed in 2013. This influx of new ships will provide Iran with increased flexibility to store and transport its oil effectively.