Chinese Tanker Attacked Near Strait of Hormuz
By Reuters | 07 May, 2026

A large refined-products tanker marked "CHINA OWNER & CREW" was attacked off the UAE's Al Jeer Port on May 4, setting fire to the vessel's deck.

A Chinese product tanker attacked on Monday near the Strait of Hormuz, in a first incident of its kind. (Reuters Photo)

A large refined-products tanker owned by a Chinese shipowner was attacked off the UAE's Al Jeer Port on May 4, at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, Chinese media Caixin reported on Thursday.

The vessel's deck caught fire and the ship was marked "CHINA OWNER & CREW", according to Caixin.

A person with knowledge at the shipowner told Caixin this was the first time a Chinese oil tanker had been attacked, calling it "psychologically very hard to accept."

(Reporting by Sam Li and Lewis Jackson; Editing by Toby Chopra)