New tanker attack highlights persistent risks to oil shipments through Hormuz

A tanker identified as Gem No. 2 caught fire after being struck off the United Arab Emirates on October 9, as renewed attacks on shipping put pressure on oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

CNBC reported that the vessel was hit by a projectile. Seatrade Maritime, citing UKMTO and shipping-security information, said the resulting fire had been extinguished. The incident followed an attack off Qatar on Wednesday in which another tanker was struck by multiple projectiles.

The International Maritime Organization recorded 11 attacks on tankers transiting Hormuz in the week ending October 4, according to CNBC. Five more had been reported during the following week. The IMO separately confirmed that 12 seafarers were injured on On Peace on October 5.

The rise in attacks followed a September recovery in Middle Eastern crude exports, helped by US military escorts along Oman’s coast. But Kpler data published on October 9 put exports through Hormuz at 8.5 million barrels a day for the week ending Wednesday, about 40% below prewar levels. Regional exports overall were 15.3 million barrels a day, roughly 10% below those levels.

Iranian Revolutionary Guard officials said they would target vessels using routes they considered unauthorised and extend operations beyond Hormuz. Their statements described Iran’s position, rather than establishing responsibility for every reported strike. The US Joint Maritime Information Center warned on Thursday that threats to transiting ships remained high.

US Central Command said on Wednesday that 20 million barrels of crude had passed through the strait, disputing Iranian claims that it was closed. Kpler, meanwhile, said Iran had not loaded crude for export since late August because of the US naval blockade.

The IMO’s confirmed incident count reached 100 by October 9. CNBC, citing the agency, reported at least 24 seafarer deaths since the conflict began in late February, including at least nine since July. Continued oil shipments therefore coexisted with substantial danger to crews.