A tanker at anchor off Kuwait’s coast suffered a significant explosion along its port side late Wednesday, triggering an oil spill into surrounding waters, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.
As reported by Ship & Bunker, the incident was recorded approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Mubarak Al Kabeer, Kuwait, at 22:40 UTC on Wednesday. UKMTO disclosed the details via a social media post on Thursday, noting that oil from the vessel’s cargo tank had been observed spreading into the sea.
Vessel Damage and Crew Status
“There is oil in the water coming from a cargo tank, which could have some environmental impact,” UKMTO stated in its post. The agency further confirmed that the vessel has taken on water, though it noted there are no fires currently reported and that all crew members are safe and well.
The environmental implications of the leak remain under assessment, with UKMTO’s language suggesting the spill warrants monitoring but stopping short of characterising its severity.
Kuwait Pushes Back on Location Claims
Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has disputed any suggestion that the incident occurred within the country’s territorial waters. In a separate social media statement issued on Thursday, the ministry stated the location of the explosion was more than 60 kilometres from Mubarak Al-Kabeer Port.
Part of a Wider Regional Pattern
The explosion does not appear to be an isolated event. According to Ship & Bunker, at least six vessel-attack incidents were reported across the broader Middle East region between Tuesday and Wednesday, pointing to a significant escalation in maritime security incidents in the area.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
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