Two More Tankers Hit in Strait of Hormuz as Attacks Mount

Two more tankers have been struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with two seafarers injured, extending a string of attacks against commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.

UK Maritime Trade Operations said Monday that military authorities reported an inbound tanker was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the strait. Two crew members suffered minor injuries, but the vessel remained under its own power and was continuing to its next port of call. No environmental impact was reported.

Hours later, UKMTO issued a second warning involving an LPG tanker making an outbound transit. The master reported the vessel had been hit by debris from unknown projectiles. All crew were safe, no environmental impact was reported and the tanker continued its voyage.

Authorities are investigating both incidents.

The latest reports extend a sharp increase in attacks documented by UKMTO over the past week. A Joint Maritime Information Center advisory issued Sunday listed three attacks in the Strait between Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, including one tanker struck by a projectile that breached its hull and started a fire. 

That brings the number of reported attacks or security incidents involving tankers in the strait to at least five since Sept. 16.

JMIC continues to rate the threat level in the Strait of Hormuz as SEVERE, saying deliberate hostile action is considered “highly likely” under current conditions. The center said Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps attacks, attempted attacks and harassment have continued, including UAV overflights, surveillance of merchant ships and VHF hailing. 

UKMTO has not attributed either of Monday’s attacks, however, and described the projectiles involved as unknown.

The renewed attacks come as commercial traffic through Hormuz remains far below normal levels.

Just 17 commodity vessels were visible transiting the strait over the weekend, down from 37 a week earlier and compared with roughly 125 vessels per day before the war, according to Kpler data reported by Reuters. The figures do not capture ships transiting with their AIS transponders switched off. 

JMIC has highlighted the same gap between visible and facilitated traffic. Independent tracking showed single-digit transits in both directions on some days, while U.S. Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping data indicated flows averaging more than 30 vessels per day during the 72 hours leading up to Sunday.

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