A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz; a fire was extinguished and all crew were safe, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported.
The vessel was struck on Aug. 25, the UKMTO said and there had been no reported environmental impact from the incident. The circumstances surrounding the strike were being investigated by the authorities.
“All crew are reported as safe and accounted for and there has been no report of environmental impact,” UKMTO said in an advisory note.
The tanker was hit north-west of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, the UKMTO said. The agency did not identify the vessel or the type or origin of the projectile.
UKMTO advised vessels operating in the area to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
The incident adds to a series of maritime security incidents affecting commercial shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
Shipping traffic through the strategic waterway has remained far below pre-conflict levels since February, with increased security concerns affecting vessel movements. Reuters said commodity-vessel transits fell sharply in September.
The Strait is the route for about one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, meaning disruptions there are of great concern to the world’s energy markets.
