The Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier AL MAYEDA has been confirmed as a casualty of the October 30 projectile attack in the Arabian Gulf. All 25 crew survived, as a separate coast guard confrontation develops near Taiwan and Russia extends diesel-export restrictions.
1. AL MAYEDA Hit by Projectile South of Lavan Island
• AL MAYEDA (IMO 9397298), a Marshall Islands-flagged LNG carrier, was targeted in a projectile attack on October 30, 2026. India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the vessel’s identity and that all 25 crew members, including six Indian nationals, were safe.
• UKMTO initially reported the crew safe and no environmental impact. The vessel’s structural damage, cargo-system condition, fire-extinguishing arrangements and subsequent operational status have not been independently established.
• The attacker and projectile type remain unidentified in the verified casualty information. This incident is separate from the RITI tanker fire near Hormuz and must not be combined with other Gulf casualties reported during October 30. The DeepDraft
2. Chinese Coast Guard Patrol Draws Taiwan Response
• On October 31, Chinese coast guard vessels conducted patrol operations east of Taiwan. Beijing described the activity as routine maritime law enforcement. Reuters
• Taiwan’s coast guard reported that two Chinese vessels used radio broadcasts to assert jurisdiction in the area. Taiwan dispatched its own vessels to respond and monitor the activity. Reuters
• Chinese coast guard authorities said patrols east of Taiwan had intensified since October and would continue in waters Beijing claims fall under its jurisdiction. Taiwan rejects China’s sovereignty claims. StreetInsider.com
• Taiwan separately reported a Chinese coast guard vessel approaching the Taiwan-controlled Pratas Islands on Saturday, October 31. Taipei said it had expelled Chinese coast guard vessels from Pratas waters 13 times during 2026. Reuters
3. Russia Extends Diesel-Export Restrictions Through January 2027
• On October 31, Russia announced an extension of its general diesel-export ban for producers through January 31, 2027, while retaining exemptions for selected international shipments. gCaptain
• The government said the measure was intended to maintain domestic fuel-market stability. The signed decree’s detailed exemption provisions had not yet been published in the reporting available. gCaptain
• Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak estimated Russian diesel exports of approximately 2.15 million tonnes in November, compared with around 510,000 tonnes in October. These are projected and reported volumes, not confirmed November sailings. Коммерсантъ
• Novak said four tankers had departed Russian Baltic ports carrying diesel by late October. Specific vessel identities and November allocations were not provided in that statement. gCaptain
• The extension leaves product-tanker cargo availability dependent on exemptions and permitted export volumes rather than unrestricted refinery supply. Reuters previously reported proposals for expanded export quotas, but their final implementation remains dependent on the applicable government measures. finance.yahoo.com+1
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Sources
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), Clearwater Dynamics, India’s Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways, Reuters, Bloomberg
This update is part of the DeepDraft SITREP series covering developing maritime operational situations.
LNG Carrier, AL MAYEDA, Arabian Gulf, Lavan Island, Maritime Security, UKMTO, Projectile Attack, Crew Safety
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