Muscat, Oman. At least three tankers were damaged off the Gulf coast and one seafarer was killed on Sunday as Iranian retaliation for U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran exposed commercial ships to collateral damage, shipping sources and officials said.
Rising risks for commercial vessels
Risks to commercial shipping surged in the past 24 hours, with more than 200 vessels, including oil and liquefied gas tankers, dropping anchor around the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters, shipping data showed on Sunday.
Iran has said it has closed navigation through the critical waterway, prompting Asian governments and refiners, described as key buyers, to assess oil stockpiles. Major container shipping lines have rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope.
“The U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran dramatically increases the security risk to ships operating in the Persian Gulf and adjacent waters,” said Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer at shipping association BIMCO.
Unclear responsibility for attacks
It was not immediately clear who launched the projectiles and drones that targeted or damaged ships on Sunday.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States had destroyed nine Iranian navy ships and pummeled Iran’s naval headquarters.
Warning of possible targeting errors
“Ships with business connections to U.S. or Israeli interests are more likely to be targeted, but other ships may also be targeted deliberately or in error,” Larsen said.
A projectile hit the Marshall Islands-flagged product tanker MKD VYOM, killing a crew member on board as the vessel sailed off the coast of Oman, vessel manager V.Ships said on Sunday.
How do you expect shipping disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz to affect energy supplies?