Vessel Hit By Unknown Projectile In Strait Of Hormuz, Crew Casualty Reported

A vessel was hit by an unknown projectile while leaving the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, damaging its engine room and causing a crew casualty, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.

The rest of the crew is being assisted by the Omani Coast Guard. No environmental damage has been reported and authorities are investigating the incident, UKMTO said.

The vessel was struck while making an outbound transit of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report from its Company Security Officer. UKMTO did not identify the vessel or provide further details about the projectile or the crew casualty.

UKMTO advised ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity.

Shipping through the waterway remains heavily disrupted. Vessel crossings have fallen to single digits, compared with more than 130 a day before the war, according to shipping data.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major route for global energy supplies. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed through the waterway.

Shipping through the strait has faced repeated disruptions since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on Feb. 28. The disruption has pushed up freight rates and increased security concerns for commercial vessels.

The latest incident follows reports involving vessels linked to the United Arab Emirates.

Earlier last week, the UAE said Iran had attacked an Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) vessel while it was passing through the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC said there were no injuries and that the situation was under control.

The UAE Foreign Ministry called on Iran to stop what it described as unprovoked attacks, end hostilities and fully reopen the waterway. Iran had not immediately commented on the allegations.

The source material said the reported attack was the third incident involving ADNOC vessels in less than a week. The UAE has also blamed Iran for earlier incidents.

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, said Abu Dhabi would protect its sovereignty and interests.

“We will safeguard our rights to freedom of navigation … while continuing the path of dialogue and prioritising diplomatic options,” Gargash said in a post on X.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously threatened action against vessels using the Strait of Hormuz if they are linked to Tehran’s adversaries or fail to follow Iranian directives.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident. Further details about the affected vessel and the crew casualty have not been provided.

References: Business Standard, AA