A US-flagged tanker, the Stena Imperative, caught fire at the Port of Bahrain on 2 March after being struck by at least two projectiles. The incident occurred amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. According to Argus Media, crew members were unharmed; however, owner Stena Bulk and vessel manager Crowley reported that one shipyard worker was killed and two others injured. The fire was successfully extinguished.
The incident marks the first known attack on a US-flagged vessel in the region since the conflict began. It follows strikes on three other vessels in the Gulf: the 11,000 dwt Skylight, the 74,000 dwt Mkd Vyom, and the 47,000 dwt Sea La Donna. Part of the US Tanker Security Program, the Stena Imperative is one of 10 US-registered product tankers supplying fuel to armed forces.
The attack comes amid a wider escalation across the Middle East maritime region. Fresh US–Israeli strikes on Iran and Iran's retaliatory actions have undermined hopes of meaningful regional stability. The incident underscores the rising risks faced by commercial shipping in the Gulf and the potential need to reassess tanker security protections.
Key Takeaways:
1. The US-flagged tanker Stena Imperative was hit by projectiles at the Port of Bahrain on 2 March.
2. One shipyard worker was killed and two others injured; the vessel crew was unharmed.
3. The incident is the first known attack on a US-flagged vessel since the conflict began.
4. Three earlier vessels — Skylight, Mkd Vyom, and Sea La Donna — were also targeted in the Gulf.
5. The Stena Imperative supplies fuel to armed forces under the US Tanker Security Program.
