A tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar reported being struck “by multiple projectiles,” causing an unspecified number of casualties, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Wednesday.
The incident took place 59 miles off the coast of Madinat ash Shamal, a coastal city in the Persian Gulf, the British maritime agency said, adding that authorities were investigating. It did not specify the ship’s origin. “Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the agency’s statement said.
Attacks and attempted attacks on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz reached their highest weekly level since the Iran war began, maritime security sources were quoted in a report by Reuters. At least 12 attacks on oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers were recorded around the strait between 28 September and 5 October, according to data analysed by three maritime security sources.
The incidents included attacks, attempted attacks and harassment such as drone overflights, surveillance and hailing vessels over VHF radio by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said on Sunday that such activity had continued in the Strait of Hormuz.
“These actions continue to demonstrate Iran’s intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure on transiting vessels,” it said.
The 12 incidents recorded by maritime security sources represented the highest number in a single week since the US war with Iran began on 28 February.
Separate data compiled by the UN’s shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), recorded nine incidents involving vessels during the same week. Maritime sources said the IMO generally takes longer to verify and officially record incidents.
The closest comparable figure in the IMO data was recorded during the week of 13 July, when there were eight incidents.
The increase in attacks comes as Gulf oil exporters pushed shipments above pre-war levels for about half of September, according to shipping data. But attacks on tankers and logistical constraints have raised questions over whether higher export levels can be sustained.
Indian Crew Injured in Hormuz Attack
India has also expressed concern after an oil tanker carrying mostly Indian crew members was struck while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said 12 crew members were injured after an unknown projectile struck the Panama-flagged tanker MT On Peace off the coast of Oman on Tuesday.
Of the vessel’s 19 crew members, 17 were Indian nationals. Eleven Indian crew members were among those injured.
“We condemn the attack earlier today on a Panama-flagged commercial vessel, MT On Peace, off the coast of Oman, where it was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” the MEA said.
“Of the total crew of 19, 17 are Indian nationals. It is learnt that 12 crew members have been injured, including 11 Indian nationals,” it added.
The injured crew members were evacuated with the assistance of Omani authorities and were receiving medical treatment in Khasab, Oman.
The MEA thanked the Omani authorities for their assistance. It said the continuing attacks on shipping in the region remained a “cause of deep concern” for India.
“We reiterate our call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the interests of peace and stability in the region,” the ministry said. “The targeting of commercial shipping, seafarers and civilian infrastructure in the region must end, and navigation and commerce through international waterways must be restored at the earliest,” it added.
Indian Sailors Also Caught Up in Black Sea Attacks
The latest Hormuz incident came as India also reported an attack on a commercial vessel in the Black Sea. The Indian Embassy in Romania said there were three Indian nationals among the crew of the MV Royad Mammadov, which was attacked on Monday.
Two foreign crew members were killed and some others were injured, according to preliminary information. One of the three Indian crew members was injured and received medical treatment.
The embassy said all three Indian nationals were safe and “in good health”. “We condemn the attack on MV Royad Mammadov in the Black Sea in which two foreign seafarers were killed and some members of the crew, including Indian nationals, injured,” the MEA said.
“The injured have been rescued by Romanian authorities and are receiving medical attention. The three Indian nationals, who were part of the crew, are safe. We thank Romanian authorities for their swift action in this incident,” it added.
India said attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers were a matter of “grave concern”.
“The targeting of traffic in international waterways is severely undermining global commerce and welfare of people across the world. We continue to call for dialogue and diplomacy to bring an end to the ongoing conflicts,” the MEA said.
Indian seafarers account for almost 12% of the global maritime community.
