Tanker ablaze off Oman after projectile strike sparks sinking fears
A vessel was left burning and largely submerged 9 nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman.
A suspected projectile strike has left a tanker burning and partially submerged off Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, raising fears the vessel may sink in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred approximately 9 nautical miles north of Khasab, according to maritime security firm Vanguard.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a warning after the master of a passing Panama-flagged tanker reported seeing an unidentified vessel engulfed in flames and mostly underwater. Another ship was observed nearby, possibly attempting assistance, though no official rescue operation has been confirmed.
Unconfirmed strike sparks maritime alert: strait of hormuz
Critical details remain unclear. Authorities have not determined the ship’s identity, flag, ownership, or cargo, nor have they confirmed whether crew members were evacuated or if there were casualties. The UKMTO advised vessels in the area to proceed with caution while investigations continue, though it has not independently verified the projectile strike or the vessel’s sinking status.
The incident adds to a surge in maritime attacks in the Middle East, where the International Maritime Organization has recorded 121 confirmed incidents this year, resulting in 24 seafarer deaths. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global energy shipments, has seen repeated targeting of commercial vessels amid escalating U.S.-Iran tensions.
Regional tensions fuel shipping risks
Recent months have brought multiple losses, including the bulk carrier Cape Dao, which sank after being struck near Khasab in September, and the containership GFS Pride, lost in the strait earlier this month. On November 10, a separate attack damaged an ADNOC Logistics & Services vessel in UAE territorial waters. The company confirmed the incident but provided no details on the ship’s identity, damage extent, or crew injuries.
As authorities investigate Thursday’s incident, the fate of the tanker and its crew remains unconfirmed. The shipping industry faces growing disruptions in a region where maritime security has deteriorated sharply in 2025.
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