Tracking Data Irregularities Detected in Tanker Targeted by U.S. Forces in the Gulf of Oman

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had disabled the commercial vessel JALVEER in the Gulf of Oman, making it the third ship reportedly targeted within a week as part of operations Washington says are aimed at vessels transporting Iranian oil in violation of U.S. sanctions.

In a statement issued Thursday, CENTCOM said its forces targeted the vessel on June 10 after accusing it of attempting to transport Iranian oil. According to the statement, a U.S. aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles at the vessel’s engine room after its crew failed to comply with instructions issued by U.S. forces.

The operation followed the targeting of two other tankers during the same week, MARIVEX and SETTEBELLO, amid escalating U.S. actions against vessels that Washington says are linked to Iranian oil transport networks operating in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

Navigation Data of JALVEER

Misbar reviewed the navigation data associated with the incident and found that the targeted vessel was the asphalt tanker JALVEER, carrying IMO number 9486283 and sailing under the flag of Guinea-Bissau.

The vessel’s draft was recorded at approximately 6.6 meters, suggesting it was either empty or carrying only a limited load compared with its maximum deadweight capacity of around 6,395 tons.

Tracking data showed that the vessel, which had declared Shinas Port in Oman as its destination after departing from Diggi Port in India, exhibited unusual movements during May. Intermittent tracking signals were recorded while it sailed along the Omani coastline.

On June 10—the same day the United States said it targeted the vessel—tracking data placed the ship in an implausible location near the Gulf of Guinea, despite its presumed presence in the Gulf of Oman.

These large and sudden discrepancies in tracking information suggest the possibility of signal disruption or navigation-data anomalies, causing the vessel to appear in geographically distant locations inconsistent with its actual route.

Satellite imagery captured in the area also showed a vessel on fire with a visible column of smoke. The dimensions of the ship visible in the images closely match those of JALVEER, which measures approximately 120 meters in length, according to MarineTraffic data.

Repeated Changes of Name and Flag

A review of maritime records shows that JALVEER, built in 2008, has changed both its name and flag multiple times throughout its operational history.

The vessel previously operated under names including GLOBAL HEKATE, ASIAN TIDE, GOLDEN LILY and SARVESHWAR, while sailing under the flags of several countries before eventually registering under Guinea-Bissau.

Frequent changes of name and flag are among the indicators monitored by maritime authorities and shipping analysts when assessing vessels suspected of sanctions evasion or efforts to obscure operational patterns.

Documented technical reports also indicate that SETTEBELLO previously participated in ship-to-ship (STS) oil transfer operations and was linked to Russian, Iranian and Venezuelan oil cargoes, according to those reports.

India Confirms Crew Safety

During a press conference held on June 11, the Indian government expressed concern over recent incidents targeting commercial vessels in the Gulf region.

Indian officials confirmed that all 20 Indian crew members aboard JALVEER were safe, adding that New Delhi coordinated with Omani authorities to ensure their rescue and safety.

The targeting of these vessels comes amid rapidly escalating tensions in the region, accompanied by mutual accusations and military operations between the United States and Iran, particularly in the waters surrounding the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

The developments have intensified concerns over maritime security in strategic waterways, especially the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, where commercial ships and oil tankers face growing risks due to escalating military tensions.

Recent incidents also underscore the extent to which regional security developments are affecting global shipping routes and energy supply chains, amid continued uncertainty over the future trajectory of the confrontation.

What Do JALVEER’s Data Reveal?

Available navigation data for JALVEER indicate signs of tracking disruptions and signal irregularities in the period leading up to the vessel’s targeting. Records also reveal repeated changes in both the vessel’s name and flag over the course of its operational history.

While these indicators alone do not prove illicit activity, they align with factors commonly examined by regulatory authorities when monitoring vessels suspected of participating in sanctioned oil transport networks, at a time when maritime risks in the region continue to rise.

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