Hormuz tanker attacks mount as blockade halts Iranian crude

· Shipping · Iran

Attacks on commercial shipping in and near the Strait of Hormuz have escalated sharply. UK Maritime Trade Operations reported five separate incidents on Monday, including four tanker attacks. Separately, a Greek-flagged LNG carrier controlled by the Angelicoussis Shipping Group was struck by an unidentified projectile while leaving the strait, and India's Ministry of External Affairs said twelve seafarers were injured when a Panama-flagged oil tanker was hit. Iran's military insisted it retains full control of the strait, while the US Treasury said Iran had not loaded a single barrel of crude onto tankers in September. Tracking data show dozens of laden Iranian tankers bottled up along the coast, with others waiting off Sri Lanka. The incidents affect energy and container routes through the world's most important oil chokepoint.

Why it matters：The Strait of Hormuz carries a large share of the world's seaborne crude and LNG, so sustained attacks raise war-risk insurance, reroute tonnage and inflate freight and bunker costs across the industry.

Key points

  • UKMTO logged five commercial shipping incidents in or near Hormuz on Monday, including four tanker attacks.
  • Twelve seafarers were injured when a Panama-flagged oil tanker was struck, per India's foreign ministry.
  • A Greek-controlled LNG carrier, Maran Gas Mystras, was hit by an unidentified projectile while leaving the strait.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day