An oil tanker travelling through the Strait of Hormuz has reported an explosion approximately 16 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman, raising fresh concerns over maritime security in the strategically important waterway.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the incident on Friday, November 6, following a report from the vessel’s captain.
According to the maritime security agency, the explosion occurred at the vessel’s port-side waterline while it was travelling outbound through the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the incident, all crew members were confirmed safe and accounted for. The tanker also remained operational under its own power and continued its voyage.
UKMTO advised other vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity as investigations into the incident continue.
The cause of the explosion and the extent of the damage to the tanker have not yet been established.
The incident adds to growing security concerns surrounding commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime routes for global oil transportation.
The waterway connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and handles a significant proportion of global oil shipments, making maritime security in the region critical to international energy supplies.
