Oil Tanker Struck Near Hormuz Strait, All Crew Safe

An oil tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile near the Hormuz Strait on October 2 (local time).

According to Yonhap News Agency, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the captain indicated the vessel was hit while sailing four nautical miles east of Oman. All crew members are reported safe, and no environmental damage has been reported so far.

UKMTO did not disclose the name, nationality, or route of the vessel involved. The identity of the attacker remains unconfirmed.

Since the onset of the war in Iran in late February, the number of commercial vessels passing through the Hormuz Strait has significantly decreased, as Iran has asserted control over the area and has attacked ships that do not have its permission to transit.

This has disrupted oil exports from the Middle East. However, recent reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has been exporting oil outside the region via pipelines along the Red Sea, and Middle Eastern countries have been utilizing a 'crude oil shuttle service' in safe waters, leading to a recovery in export volumes.

JP Morgan recently estimated that oil exports from the Middle East average 17.5 million barrels per day, which is approximately 98% of the pre-war export levels.