UKMTO records 12 attacks on merchant ships in latest reporting period

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency recorded at least twelve attacks on merchant ships around the Strait of Hormuz in its latest reporting period, Interfax reported.

Ten attacks occurred in the strait, with one in the Arabian Gulf and one in the Gulf of Oman. Six vessels continued their voyages or reached port. One vessel was lost and two were disabled or unable to manoeuvre. The outcomes of three incidents remained unconfirmed.

The agency cautioned that recorded cases did not provide a complete picture. Crews of many attacked ships did not report incidents, while information from other sources could not always be verified.

UKMTO estimated that vessel traffic through the strait in both directions remained about seventy per cent below prewar levels. It could not independently verify the number of ships passing with US Navy assistance.