By Alex Longley
October 2, 2026 - A tanker captain relied on his experience when he witnessed an explosion in front of him. He quickly maneuvered his 300-meter ship around the vessel ahead and saw flames erupting. He contacted the US Navy to report the attack.
Navigating the Strait of Hormuz with drones and missiles in the air demands quick thinking and is crucial for maintaining oil supply to global markets, especially as Washington and Tehran struggle to find a way to reopen the waterway for normal traffic.
The incident, shared with Bloomberg by a captain in his early 40s who wished to remain anonymous due to the sensitive nature of his voyages, highlights why oil shipments from the Middle East are increasing, often with US military oversight.
His ship is part of a convoy making trips through the strait, transporting barrels primarily at night under strict guidelines—no lights, no phones, and only one radar in use.
They often operated just a mile off the coast of Oman, where the sea depth is around 100 meters, allowing even the largest supertankers to navigate safely. The captain stated that he and his crew relied on coastal landmarks and lighthouses for navigation.
“I’m just lucky because I still remember traditional navigation, the old school way,” he said in an interview from the Philippines, where he is now on vacation after three months of shuttling through Hormuz. “They didn’t require navigational lights, which makes it challenging.”
These journeys are essential for Gulf energy producers and provide a windfall for shipowners and commodity traders who stand to earn billions. Additionally, crew members willing to endure this challenging route can expect substantial financial rewards.
US banks like JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs believe that crude oil shipments from the Middle East are approaching pre-war levels, thanks to the Hormuz transports. JPMorgan estimated that daily shipments through the Gulf currently stand at 17.5 million barrels.
Read More:
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Is Spending Billions to Bypass Hormuz
Bypass the Strait of Hormuz? Why That’s Not So Easy: Explainer
Since early summer, the US has been discreetly working with shippers to plan safe routes and avoid Iranian mines. According to a statement from US Central Command, American forces have supported thousands of ships in the Strait of Hormuz recently, providing coordinated security. “We remain focused and will continue to work with our partners to enhance maritime traffic,” they said.
The captain often received updates about military support that was monitoring their journey, which he could see from above. On one occasion, he spotted a jet and a helicopter flying overhead.
Crossing Hormuz was unusual due to the radio silence; the only sounds were from additional crew members manning the bridge and vigilant for attacks.
Another captain of a liquefied natural gas tanker described the beginning of their journey as a cautious process, where they turn off the ship’s location transponder to disguise their route and barricade the main decks with sandbags to prepare for potential drone or missile attacks.
While these LNG carriers are less common than oil tankers, at least eight LNG ships made the journey through the strait in the last two weeks with US safety assurances, according to that captain.
Iran maintains a blacklist of tankers in trade, yet shipping executives estimate a one in 20 chance of an attack while passing through Hormuz, even with US military protection.
The oil tanker captain's latest contract was shorter than usual due to the difficult conditions, but he still received a significantly higher salary for the transit.
It was previously reported that some shipowners were offering an extra six months' pay to their crews willing to make runs through Hormuz. Such amounts are substantial, especially considering many tanker crew members come from lower-income countries like the Philippines and India.
With two million barrels of oil on board, the captain's vessel was under constant surveillance by American forces as part of a strict monitoring protocol requiring regular check-ins.
After witnessing the blast ahead, the US Navy informed the captain that other nearby vessels were continuing their journeys, and he was advised to do the same. On another occasion, his ship was attacked, but thankfully there was no damage and no crew injuries. It was just one of many close calls experienced.
Even when the transit concluded safely, the threats in Hormuz loomed large. “It can happen any time,” the captain remarked. While offloading cargo to another ship outside Hormuz, he and his crew overheard other vessels reporting they were being attacked nearby.
Ultimately, the decision to transit lies with the captain of each ship. As long as they agree to make the crossing, millions of barrels of oil will continue to reach global markets. The International Maritime Organization estimates that 24 seafarers have lost their lives to attacks in the region since the war began.
Much of the navigation through Hormuz involves communication with the US Navy. The captain mentioned that Americans provide routes and waypoints for crossing during the journey. Ships must report to the military every 30 minutes to confirm their status and indicate if they have spotted any missiles en route.
During his crossings, the captain and his crew always prepared for the worst-case scenario. Similar to the LNG ship, they would place sandbags and drums filled with water near the bridge as a precaution. The oil tanker’s emergency fire pump operated throughout the voyage, and emergency fire hoses were always ready near the accommodation area.
“Tankers are always at risk,” the captain explained. “It’s a very dangerous vessel.”
He shared that his children were eagerly waiting for him to finish his contract and come home safely to the Philippines. Despite their concerns, he reassured them he could handle the situation. “I’m very proud. I actually enjoy my job,” he said.