Strikes on three tankers reported in the Strait of Hormuz — OilPrice
This week, strikes by unknown projectiles on three tankers were reported in the Strait of Hormuz. OilPrice reports, citing companies that track shipping and maritime security.
Three reports of incidents
According to shipping intelligence company Marisks, three Liberian-flagged tankers were transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday and Wednesday with their transponders switched off when they were struck by unknown projectiles. Reuters reported the Marisks data on Thursday.
Earlier this week, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British service supported by the Royal Navy, said it had received three separate delayed third-party reports of tanker incidents in the strait.
In one case, a vessel was struck on Monday evening and a fire broke out aboard it. According to UKMTO, the fire has already been extinguished, the vessel continued its voyage, and all crew members are safe. The two other reports, received by the service from a verified source, concerned tankers being hit by unknown projectiles within the Strait of Hormuz.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Which vessels may have been affected
According to assessments by Marisks and other shipping-monitoring companies, the vessels concerned are the products tanker Al Ruwais, the very large crude carrier Mersin Prosperity, and the Aframax tanker Sinbad. Al Ruwais and Mersin Prosperity are managed by the UAE-based ADNOC Logistics & Services, while Sinbad is managed by Anglo-Eastern Tanker Management.
According to Kpler data reviewed by Reuters, Sinbad loaded petroleum products in early September at the industrial port of Jubail in Saudi Arabia, located in the Persian Gulf.
Risks to shipping
The incidents occurred amid assessments by analysts and investment banks that oil transport volumes through the Strait of Hormuz had recovered to nearly or fully pre-war levels. At the same time, OilPrice notes that operational risks to shipping in the strait remain.
