The crucial maritime corridor of the Strait of Hormuz, responsible for transporting approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), has faced significant threats following recent military actions. Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued warnings that ships navigating this narrow passage would be targeted after the US and Israel conducted strikes against Iran on February 28.

Reported Maritime Incidents in the Gulf Region

The following is a chronological list detailing the reported attacks on commercial vessels operating in or near the Gulf since the escalation began.

March 1 Incidents

  • The Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker MKD VYOM was struck by a projectile off the Omani coast, 50 nautical miles north of Muscat, resulting in the death of one crew member, according to manager V.Ships.
  • The Gibraltar-flagged oil bunkering tanker Hercules Star sustained a projectile strike 17 nm northwest of UAE's Mina Saqr in Ras Al Khaimah. The UKMTO confirmed the attack, noting that a resulting fire was put out.
  • A Palau-flagged tanker, identified as the US-sanctioned Skylight, was attacked two nautical miles north of Oman's Kumzar within the Strait of Hormuz. Oman's maritime security centre reported that the crew was successfully evacuated.

Early March Attacks (March 2 - March 4)

  • On March 2, the US-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative was hit by two projectiles while in the port of Bahrain, leading to a fire and crew evacuation, as reported by the UKMTO.
  • Minor damage was reported on March 3 for the Marshall Islands crude oil tanker Libra Trader and the Panama-flagged bulker Gold Oak, approximately 7-10 nm off Fujairah, UAE.
  • The Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was damaged by a projectile on March 4 while heading toward the top of the Strait, two nautical miles north of Oman. Shipping sources indicated the attack caused an engine room fire, forcing the crew to abandon ship.

Mid-March Incidents and Escalation

  • On March 5, the crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe suffered a blast while anchored near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port. Initial assessments from Iraqi port security sources suggested an Iranian remote-controlled boat loaded with explosives was used.
  • The UKMTO reported on March 6 that a tugboat was hit by projectiles six nautical miles north of Oman while operating alongside the Safeen Prestige (hit March 4).
  • A possible drone attack was cited by the UKMTO on March 7, occurring 10 nm north of Saudi Arabia's Jubail, with most of the crew reportedly evacuated.

Complex Incidents on March 11

March 11 saw multiple separate incidents across the region:

  • The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was attacked by a projectile 11 nm north of Oman in the Strait, causing a fire and crew evacuation, according to owner Precious Shipping.
  • The Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty sustained minor hull damage from a projectile 25 nm northwest of UAE's Ras Al Khaimah.
  • The Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was hit 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, causing hull damage, though the crew was safe and no environmental impact was noted.
  • Attacks on the Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu and Maltese-flagged Zefyros fuel tankers near Iraq caused Iraqi oil ports to halt all operations. One port security official confirmed the recovery of a foreign crew member's body from the water.

Further Attacks Through March 19

  • Projectile fragments struck the Liberia-flagged container vessel 'Source Blessing' near the Strait of Hormuz on March 12, Hapag-Lloyd confirmed. The crew, chartered to Maersk, was safe after the fire was extinguished.
  • A Kuwait-flagged tanker, identified as the LP tanker Gas Al Ahmadiah, sustained minor structural damage after being hit by a projectile 23 nm east of Fujairah, UAE, on March 17.
  • On March 19, an unknown projectile struck a vessel 4 nm east of Qatar's Ras Laffan, causing extensive damage to the nearby gas plant complex. All crew members were reported safe.

Late March Incidents and Iranian Claim

The final reported incidents in March included two more strikes where crews were safe.

  • The UKMTO reported an unknown projectile struck a vessel 15 nm north of Sharjah, UAE, on March 22, with all crew safe.
  • On March 30, the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker Al Salmi caught fire at anchorage off Dubai after being hit by an Iranian attack, causing hull damage. Kuwait Petroleum Corp stated the fire was put out, with no injuries or oil leaks.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for targeting a container ship due to its alleged ties with Israel, naming it 'Express Halfong.' However, shipping maps indicated that the Singaporean-flagged HAIPHONG Express was the vessel anchored near the Al Salmi tanker.