A tanker crew abandoned their vessel and took to a lifeboat after the ship was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO).
UKMTO, a British government body that monitors maritime security in the region, said the incident was reported by military authorities eight nautical miles northwest of Limah, Oman, at 20:10 UTC on Monday. The agency shared the update in a social media post on Tuesday.
What UKMTO Reported
According to UKMTO, it “received multiple reports that a tanker is reporting over VHF Channel 16 that it has been struck by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.”
UKMTO further stated that the tanker’s Company Security Officer (CSO) confirmed to the agency that the crew had abandoned the vessel and were currently in a lifeboat. No additional details on the vessel’s identity, cargo, or the crew’s condition were included in UKMTO’s report.
Part of a Wider Pattern
This is not an isolated case. UKMTO had also reported a separate vessel attack incident off the coast of Oman on Sunday, according to the agency. Ship & Bunker notes that several vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz have come under attack in recent days, coinciding with an escalation in hostilities between the United States and Iran.
Does This Matter to You?
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for oil and fuel cargoes, and repeated attack reports in the area raise direct concerns for vessel operators, charterers, and bunker traders planning transits through the region. Rising security incidents can affect insurance costs, routing decisions, and vessel scheduling for ships moving through or near the strait.
Gulf Bunkering’s audience monitoring bunker markets and Middle East shipping risk may find this development relevant given the strait’s role in regional fuel and crude flows, though the source material does not specify direct impacts on bunker supply or pricing from this particular incident.
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.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
