Frontline, the owner of the Front Eagle involved in a maritime collision with the tanker Adalynn, confirmed the incident was a navigational accident and not connected to the ongoing regional conflict between Israel and Iran.
The collision occurred at approximately 00:15 local time on 17 June 2025, around 15 nautical miles off the coast of Fujairah, in the Gulf of Oman near the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to the UAE’s Coast Guard division of the National Guard, all 24 crew members aboard the Adalynn were successfully rescued and evacuated to the Port of Khor Fakkan using search and rescue boats. Frontline also reported that the crew of the Front Eagle is safe, with no injuries and no pollution reported.
Following the collision, immediate action was taken to extinguish the fire that broke out on deck of the Front Eagle.
First video of the oil tanker Adalynn after the collision earlier today with the Front Eangle, near the Strait of Hormuz.
“This is a navigational incident and not related to the current regional conflict,” said the owner of the Front Eagle oil tanker.
— Javier Blas (@JavierBlas) June 17, 2025
“Our primary focus at this time is the safety and well-being of the crews and the vessels involved” the company said in a statement.
As reported, a full investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the incident. Frontline supports that the collision was not linked to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, which has triggered a surge in electronic interference including GPS spoofing in the region.
This incident unfolds amid heightened regional tensions, with Israel and Iran engaged in a fifth consecutive day of hostilities. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued advisories urging vessels to exercise caution while transiting the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. While the Strait remains open to commercial traffic, the prevalence of electronic disruptions has introduced serious navigational risks.
Moreover, maritime historian Sal Mercogliano weighed in when the news of the incident broke out, suggesting GPS spoofing may have contributed to or even caused the collision, potentially misleading the Front Eagle’s autopilot or navigation systems.
Furthermore, in a related development, the Front Tyne oil tanker, also owned by Frontline, has exhibited erratic tracking behavior while transiting the Gulf between Iran and the UAE. As reported, at one point on the morning of 15 June, ship-tracking data incorrectly showed the vessel in Russia then later near Bidkhun in southern Iran before oscillating between locations.
Windward also reports that nearly 1,000 vessels have been affected by electronic interference in the Gulf since the outbreak of the Israel-Iran conflict, underscoring the complexity and risk of maritime navigation in the region.
While transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the VLCC Front Eagle was subject to persistent GPS jamming, falsely placing it near Iran’s Asaluyeh port, far from its actual location. Hours later, it collided with another tanker.
…Windward stated in a social media post, regarding the incident.
