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Tanker Hit by Projectiles Off Qatar Coast
Confirmed
In Short: A tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was hit by multiple projectiles, resulting in casualties.
Multiple publications reported that a tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was struck by multiple projectiles, resulting in casualties. Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Arab News PK (Pakistan) both confirmed the incident occurred approximately 51 nautical miles (94 kilometers) north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar.
According to Al Jazeera (Qatar), the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the attack, but did not specify the number of casualties or the vessel's identity. Arab News PK (Pakistan) also noted that UKMTO advised vessels to maintain heightened vigilance while transiting the affected waters.
Türkiye Today (Türkiye) provided additional details, stating that the attack occurred approximately 17 nautical miles north of Qatar's Ras Laffan industrial hub on Wednesday. The publication also noted that the vessel was operating under contract for QatarEnergy.
The incident falls within Qatar's exclusive economic zone, but the Qatari government has not commented on the attack. UKMTO has launched an investigation into the nature of the projectiles and the circumstances of the incident.
Yemen Online reported that earlier in the week, a Panamanian-flagged tanker, the MT On Peace, was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman, resulting in injuries to 12 crew members, including 11 Indian nationals.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the continued attacks on maritime navigation in the region, calling for an immediate cessation of such attacks to maintain peace and stability.
The Maritime Executive, a publication specializing in commercial shipping, noted that this was the first reported attack on a tanker in the western half of the Gulf in weeks. UKMTO reported nine attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz this month, representing half of the September total in the waterway and the Gulf combined.
QatarEnergy stated that there was no environmental impact from the tanker attack, and UKMTO advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity.
The seven-day moving average of Middle East crude exports reached 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, compared with about 18 million bpd on average in the 12 months before the war, according to Kpler, a data firm.
Despite the varying details provided by different publications, all agreed that a tanker off the north coast of Qatar was hit by multiple projectiles, resulting in casualties, and that UKMTO is investigating the incident.
What this adds
The incident highlights the ongoing security concerns in the Gulf region, with attacks spreading beyond the Strait of Hormuz to affect shipping off Qatar's coast.
Background
A tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was hit by multiple projectiles, resulting in casualties.
What's confirmed
- A number of casualties have been reported after a tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was struck by multiple projectiles, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency has announced.
- The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported Wednesday that a tanker was struck by multiple projectiles approximately 51 nautical miles north of Qatar's Madinat ash Shamal, confirming casualties onboard and triggering an immediate investigation by maritime authorities.
What's still developing
- UKMTO did not say how many people were killed or injured in this latest attack, adding that authorities were investigating.
- The incident took place 51 nautical miles (94 kilometers) off the coast of the tiny Gulf state, the British agency said, adding that authorities were investigating.
- A deadly multi-projectile strike on a tanker north of Qatar suggests attacks on Gulf shipping are spreading beyond Hormuz and are now aimed at crews, not just engines.
- UKMTO, which classified the incident as a verified attack, said it occurred at about 1900 GMT (3pm US Eastern).
- UKMTO said in its updated warning that the vessel sustained damage to the hull above the waterline on its port side.
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- Before the United States-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, the strait typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels a day, and shipments through it accounted for about 20 percent of global crude and liquefied natural gas supplies.