Two Saudi oil tankers attacked within minutes in Strait of Hormuz
Photo: Reuters
Concerns over shipping in the Gulf region have intensified following a fresh attack in the Strait of Hormuz. Two Saudi Arabian supertankers were reportedly hit by unidentified objects just minutes apart on Monday night. The attacks took place in the same area in Omani waters. One of the vessels was struck by three unidentified objects. The crews of both ships are safe, according to the relevant authorities.
The information was reported by Marisks and Kepler, companies that monitor maritime intelligence and vessel movements.
Marisks said, “The attacks occurring at approximately the same time have further heightened the threat situation in Omani waters.”
According to Kepler data, each tanker had loaded 2 million barrels of Saudi crude oil from Saudi Arabia’s Juaymah terminal last week. In August, Saudi Arabia’s state owned oil company Saudi Aramco resumed loading and selling oil from within the Strait of Hormuz.
Fuel exports from the Gulf region have fallen sharply due to the Iranian and US blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides are trying to establish control over the waterway.
More than six months ago, before the United States and Israel began attacks on Iran, about one fifth of the world’s total oil supply was transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Mediators including Qatar and Oman have attempted to reach an agreement to reopen the waterway. So far, those efforts have been unsuccessful.
US President Donald Trump has threatened further attacks against Iran. Oil prices also rose on Tuesday after the first exchanges of attacks between the two sides occurred in late July.
In the latest attack on the vessels, the Saudi flagged very large crude carrier Sidr was targeted by unidentified objects. Marisks said the incident occurred at 7:52 p.m. local time about 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab in Oman.
A few minutes later, the Liberia flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity was also attacked, according to Marisks. Three unidentified objects struck the vessel about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab. All crew members on the vessel are safe, it said.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations also said three unidentified objects struck an oil tanker in the same area as it was leaving the Strait of Hormuz. The incident is believed to be the same attack.
Earlier Tuesday, Iranian media reported that a Saudi oil tanker had been stopped while passing through the southern waters of the Strait of Hormuz.
