The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz are on the rise after a series of incidents involving ships connected to Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
The latest incident was recorded when a bulk carrier transited the Omani corridor of the Strait. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said an unknown projectile struck the hull of the vessel as it was transiting the waterway.
The crew was said to be safe and there were no casualties in the incident.
Maritime security company Vanguard Tech identified the ship as the Liberian-flagged Al Watan. The 2012-built bulker is owned by ADNOC Logistics & Services, data from Pole Star Global’s PurpleTrac shows.
Two days, three incidents
The latest attack comes just a day after two other vessels linked to ADNOC were reportedly attacked while transiting outbound thru the Strait of Hormuz.
ADNOC L&S is a majority shareholder in Navig8, which owns the Navig8 Messi, said to have been hit by a UAV on August 13.
Also reported hit by a UAV while transiting the Strait was the Liberian-flagged Aframax tanker Tarif, owned directly by ADNOC L&S.
The incidents with the three vessels in a short span have raised concerns over the security environment faced by commercial shipping in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital maritime corridor for global energy flows, and multiple attacks could have ramifications well beyond the vessels immediately affected.
As hostile incidents have increased, shipowners, operators and maritime security organizations are likely to pay more attention to vessels traveling thru the waterway.
