Iraqi Oil Terminals Suspended After Tanker Attacks

Oil Tankers Attacked in Iraqi Waters, Operations at Oil Terminals Suspended​

Iraq Halts Oil Terminal Operations After Maritime Attacks​

Iraq has suspended operations at its oil terminals after two oil tankers were attacked in the country’s territorial waters, according to the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO).

The state oil marketer identified the vessels as the Marshall Islands flagged Safesea Vishnu and the Malta flagged Zefyros.

Details of the Affected Tankers​

According to a statement posted by SOMO on Facebook, the Safesea Vishnu had been chartered by a company that holds a contract with the organization.

The second vessel, Zefyros, was carrying condensate produced by Basrah Gas Co. The tanker had been scheduled to arrive at Khor Al Zubair Port in Iraq on March 12 to load an additional shipment of 30,000 tonnes of plastics feedstock naphtha.

Iraq Flags Security and Economic Risks​

SOMO said the incident poses broader risks to the country’s energy sector and maritime safety.

“This event negatively impacts Iraq’s security and economy, and poses a threat to the safety of maritime navigation and oil activities in Iraqi territorial waters,” the organization stated.

Ports Authority Confirms Suspension of Oil Terminal Activity​

Following the attacks, the General Company for Ports of Iraq confirmed that operations at the nation’s oil terminals have been suspended.

The update was reported by the state run Iraqi News Agency, which also clarified that commercial ports remain unaffected despite the halt in oil terminal operations.