Salvors prepare for war-zone ship response

Photo: Royal Thai Navy

Salvage providers and insurance representatives have been sent to the Middle East to assist distressed ships struck by projectiles, despite the heightened risks in a war zone As more ships are damaged by drones, missiles and unmanned surface vessels, the list of casualties requiring assistance increases. 

Several salvage companies have been asked to send people and assets to assist distressed ships across the Middle East, from Iraq to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but they are concerned for the safety of their personnel and those of subcontractors. Protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance providers covering these damaged ships are also asking special casualty representatives (SCRs) to fly out to stranded vessels to facilitate their salvage.

As of 19 March 2026, 22 ships had been struck by projectiles in the Middle East Gulf and off Oman’s coast since the start of the US/Israel-Iran conflict, mostly from Iranian weapons, according to the Roayl Navy’s UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre. 

On 18 March at an International Salvage Union (ISU) event in London, UK, salvors and SCRs told Riviera they are receiving requests to assist damaged ships in this warzone, but are reluctant to assist. One SCR showed Riviera a letter from Iraqi authorities requesting support to deal with a damaged tanker that had been struck by projectiles, causing a fire in its territorial waters.

At the ISU conference, representatives from two salvage companies told ITS how shipowners and governments have asked for support to rescue stranded ships in the UAE and off Oman.

Source : Riviera Maritime Media        Martyn Wyngrove