Seafarer death confirmed aboard product tanker struck off Oman

V.Ships Asia, managers of the Marshall Islands–flagged product tanker MKD VYOM (IMO 9284386), repor that the vessel suffered an explosion and subsequent fire after being struck by a suspected projectile while off the coast of Muscat, Oman on 1 March 2026. The company issued a statement reading as follows:

It is with great sadness that we confirm one crew member, an Indian national, who was in the engine room at the time of the incident, has died. V.Ships Asia is in contact with the crew member’s family and is providing all necessary support. Our deepest condolences are with them during this extremely difficult time.

The remaining 21 crew members, made up of Ukrainian, Indian and Bangladeshi nationals, have been accounted for and no other injuries have been reported. All the crew members have now been safely disembarked from the MKD Vyom following a rescue operation which was conducted by another vessel in the vicinity.

The hull of the MKD Vyom was breached above the waterline; however, the vessel remains safely afloat and is currently drifting approximately 50 nautical miles off the coast of Muscat, Oman. The fire remains contained to the engine room, and the Royal Navy of Oman is en route to provide firefighting assistance.

There continues to be no reports of pollution.

Tug assistance has been requested - with tugs due to reach the vessel at approximately 1300 LT - and plans are underway to safely tow the vessel to a port of refuge where she will undergo further inspection.

V.Ships Asia would like to thank the crew onboard the MKD Vyom, the vessel that undertook the rescue operation and the Royal Navy of Oman for their timely and professional response to this incident.