Attack on Sanctioned Russian Tanker Louise 1 Near Strait of Hormuz
The Panama-flagged tanker Louise 1 (IMO 9290323), which Ukraine has placed under sanctions for transporting Russian oil, was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz on October 29. Explosions sparked a fire aboard the vessel, causing temporary damage to its engine room.
According to maritime security sources, a small boat approached the tanker about 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) northeast of the Omani city of Khasab, and unidentified attackers attached two limpet mines to its port side. The explosions caused a fire that was later extinguished, and the vessel resumed its voyage with no reported injuries or fatalities among the 27 Indian crew members on board.
Previous Attacks and Sanctions
The Louise 1 had previously been targeted by Ukrainian naval drones in the Black Sea in July 2026. At the time, The Insider reported that the tanker was being used to transport Russian oil in circumvention of Western sanctions. Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker on February 12, 2026.
Vessel Details and Route
The Louise 1 is a Suezmax-class tanker built in 2004, with a deadweight tonnage of around 159,000 metric tons. According to data from Starboard Maritime Intelligence reviewed by The Insider, the tanker has regularly called at Russian oil ports, including Primorsk, Novorossiysk, and Ust-Luga. The database records 36 visits to Russian ports since May 2020.
The vessel’s registered owner is listed as Panama-based Aquarius Maritime Ventures SA, its operator as UAE-registered PRY Shipping LLC, and its technical manager as India’s Anagha Ship Management. The latest AIS signal available in the archived Starboard report was received on September 28, 2026, near the coast of the United Arab Emirates, close to Khor Fakkan.
Cargo Details
According to open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts, Louise 1 was carrying approximately 1 million barrels of Saudi oil at the time of the attack. There has been no independent confirmation of the cargo’s origin or volume. The tanker had previously carried Russian Urals crude from Primorsk in February 2026 and transported over 2 million barrels of Russian oil to India in March and May, including shipments linked to the Russian oil company Lukoil.
Previous Ship-to-Ship Transfers
In 2024, Louise 1 received 4.65 million barrels of Iranian oil in 16 ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operations.
Original Article: Sanctioned Russian “shadow fleet” tanker Louise 1 attacked near Strait of Hormuz, months after being targeted by Ukraine in the Black Sea — Theins