Tanker hit by limpet mines in Strait of Hormuz, a first since February

· Shipping · Iran · Oman

A small boat attached two explosive devices to the hull of a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, causing an engine room fire and temporarily disabling the vessel, maritime security sources said Friday. The Panama-flagged Louise 1, a 159,092 dwt tanker, was attacked late Thursday about 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. It is the first successful use of limpet mines in the waterway since the US war with Iran began in February, marking a new tactic in the campaign against commercial shipping. The attack adds to a conflict that has already disrupted Gulf crude loadings and closed the strait at times, pushing tanker rates and insurance costs sharply higher.

Why it matters：A new attack method directly on hulls raises the security bar for every tanker transiting Hormuz, likely hardening war-risk premiums and pushing owners toward rerouting or naval escort, with knock-on effects on global crude and LNG flows.

Key points

  • The vessel was attacked 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman
  • The incident is the first successful limpet-mine use in the strait since February
  • The fire disabled the ship temporarily, according to security sources

Sources (original reporting)

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