Fire reported aboard Kuwaiti tanker off Oman
Commercial shipping in the Gulf region continues to face security threats after two tankers were reportedly struck by unidentified projectiles within a 48-hour period, in incidents off Oman and Iraq.
The latest incident involved the Kuwaiti-flagged tanker Al Dasma, operated by Kuwait Oil Tanker Company (KOTC). According to maritime security firm Vanguard Tech, the Aframax vessel was hit at 01:45 UTC on 21 October, approximately 11 nautical miles west of Buhka, Oman.
The impact triggered a fire on board. The blaze has since been extinguished, and all crew members were reported safe.
Tanker targeted off Iraq for the first time in more than a month
A separate incident was reported on 20 October, when the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged tanker Soyia was struck by an unidentified projectile around 30 nautical miles southeast of Al Faw, Iraq.
The incident marks the first reported tanker attack off Iraq in more than a month. No damage to the vessel was reported, and all crew members were confirmed safe.
At least 28 attacks reported in October
The two incidents add to a continuing series of attacks affecting commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways.
According to Noam Rayden, Senior Research Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, at least 28 attacks have been reported and confirmed in the region so far in October.
Although the frequency of incidents has eased compared with the first half of the month, the latest strikes underline the continuing risks facing tankers and other commercial vessels operating in Gulf waters.
For further analysis, listen to the latest episode of the Seatrade Maritime News Podcast, featuring Noam Rayden discussing the attacks recorded during the first half of October.
