Muscat, Oman. Explosive-laden naval drones have struck at least two oil tankers in the Gulf since war erupted between the United States, Israel and Iran, maritime authorities and analysts said. The incidents have raised concerns about a new threat to shipping in the region.
Attack on MKD VYOM off Oman
The first attack occurred on 1 March, when the crude oil tanker MKD VYOM was hit about 44 nautical miles off Oman, killing one crew member. Britain’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said an unmanned surface vessel struck the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker just above the waterline, triggering an explosion and fire in the engine room.
Sonangol Namibe struck near Iraq port
Days later, a small vessel struck the Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe while it was anchored near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, according to US representative company Sonangol Marine Services. The company said its 23 crew members were safe and declined to comment on the type of vessel involved, citing an ongoing investigation.
Analysts cite evidence of exploding naval drone
Footage of the attack posted online shows a small speedboat-shaped object racing toward the ship before slamming into it and triggering an explosion. Two UK-based maritime specialists, Sidharth Kaushal of think tank RUSI and Robert Peters of maritime security firm Ambrey, said the vessel appeared to be a naval drone that exploded on impact.
Responsibility unclear as Iran-linked claims cited
Peters said he believes Iran was responsible for the Sonangol Namibe attack, pointing to Tehran’s previously showcased naval drone capabilities and the timing of the strike. He noted the strike came a day after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had set an American oil tanker ablaze in the northern Persian Gulf using missiles, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.
Reuters was unable to determine who was responsible for either attack. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Potential first direct use against commercial vessels
If Iran’s involvement is confirmed, it would mark the first known instance of the Islamic Republic directly using naval drones against commercial vessels, according to Peters. Iran-aligned Houthi militants from Yemen have previously deployed drone boats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
Warnings on the threat and oil price risk
Peters warned that sea drones pose a particularly serious threat, saying they can carry more explosives than aerial drones, potentially rivalling the payload of ballistic missiles. “If your ship is immobilised, if they want to follow up you are highly vulnerable,” he said.
Iran has said the world should be prepared for oil at $200 a barrel as its forces continue to strike merchant ships and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a near-standstill.
What do these attacks mean for the security of commercial shipping in the Gulf?