Three tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz region within 24 hours, according to the British maritime security agency UKMTO. One of these incidents involved a Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, the Al Rekayyat, which was hit by a projectile near the Omani coast while exiting the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, owned by Qatar's state-owned shipping company Nakilat, was reportedly struck on its port side and engine room, causing an engine room fire and significant damage, though all crew were safe. This attack occurred despite a ceasefire between the United States and Iran and ongoing efforts for a peace agreement, fueling unease among shipowners and producers.
Separately, the UKMTO reported a third tanker was struck by an unknown Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) approximately 8 nautical miles (15km) east of Limah, Oman. This tanker sustained minor structural damage but reported no casualties or environmental impact and continued its journey. Another incident, occurring on Monday, involved an "unknown projectile" striking an oil tanker off the coast of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire but no casualties or environmental damage.
These attacks prompted European gas prices to climb by as much as 4.1% in early Asian trading, and Brent oil futures ticked higher. The incidents reignite concerns about the security of global energy supplies and shipping safety through the critical Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supply and a significant share of LNG flows. Analysts anticipate that these renewed attack risks could lead to higher war-risk premiums for vessels, potentially causing shipping lines to reroute or delay voyages, and tightening near-term availability of crude and LNG cargoes.
