Two supertankers transporting Saudi oil, the Saudi Arabian-flagged Sidr and the Liberian-flagged Senegal Prosperity, were hit by unknown projectiles within minutes of each other while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The incidents occurred late Monday, with the Sidr struck approximately 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, and the Senegal Prosperity hit by three projectiles about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab. All crew members aboard both vessels were reported safe. This marks a significant escalation in the threat environment within the Omani corridor, according to shipping intelligence firms Marisks and Kpler.
Each tanker had loaded 2 million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal the previous week. The attacks led to a surge in oil prices, with Brent crude futures rising 2% and trading above $92 per barrel on Tuesday. This increase is attributed to renewed hostilities between the U.S. and Iran, and fears of supply disruptions from the Middle East. The incidents follow previous exchanges of fire and U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, which have curbed energy exports from the Gulf and made efforts by mediators to reopen the strait inconclusive.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency also reported three projectiles striking a tanker in the same location as it exited the Strait of Hormuz, corroborating the incidents. The number of merchant ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz has already seen a significant decline, with about five vessels carrying bulk cargo passing through on August 31, compared to an average of about 14 vessels per day over the preceding ten days. Operators Bahri (for Sidr) and Sinokor (for Senegal Prosperity) have not yet responded to requests for comment.
