Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Authorities said a fire aboard the fully loaded Al Salmi Kuwaiti crude oil tanker at Dubai Port’s anchorage was extinguished after a reported Iranian attack damaged the vessel’s hull and raised concerns about a possible oil spill.
Fire extinguished and crew safe
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said early Tuesday that the Al Salmi was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port, causing damage to the vessel and a fire onboard, according to the Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA. KPC warned of a possible oil spill in surrounding waters.
Dubai authorities said maritime firefighting teams successfully put out the blaze, which they said was sparked by a drone attack, and that assessments were continuing. They said no injuries were reported and all 24 crew members were safe.
Damage assessment and cargo details
KPC said work was underway to assess damage to the tanker. Lloyd’s List Intelligence data lists KPC as the parent company of the tanker’s registered owner and commercial operator.
The tanker was loaded with 2 million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, according to data from Lloyd’s and TankerTrackers. Lloyd’s listed the destination as Qingdao, China.
Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Market reaction and regional context
Brent crude futures were up over 2% at $115.17 per barrel in early Asian hours after news of the attack, but later pared gains after The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump is willing to end the war even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.
Brent was on course for a 59% surge in March, its largest monthly gain on record, due to the war in the Middle East.
The apparent strike on the Al Salmi follows a series of assaults on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.
Earlier Monday, a Greek-owned container ship off the coast of Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura reported two separate incidents in which projectiles hit water near the vessel, according to maritime security experts.
What impact do you think continued attacks on commercial shipping could have on oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz?
