Two supertankers carrying Saudi crude were struck by unknown projectiles minutes apart while sailing out of the Strait of Hormuz late Monday, shipping intelligence firms Marisks and Kpler reported. The attacks add to escalating tensions in the corridor that carries about a fifth of the world's oil supply, and come as Oil (WTI) prices moved higher on renewed threats between the U.S. and Iran.
Two tankers hit within minutes
The Saudi Arabian-flagged very large crude carrier Sidr was struck by unknown projectiles about 16.6 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, at roughly 1952 UTC. Minutes later, the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity was hit by three unknown projectiles about 17 nautical miles east of Khasab, Marisks said. All crew aboard both vessels were reported safe.
Separately, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported three projectiles striking a tanker in the same location as it sailed out of the strait, in what appeared to be the same incident. Bahri, which operates the Sidr, and Sinokor, which operates the Senegal Prosperity, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Iranian media separately reported that a Saudi oil tanker was stopped while transiting the strait's southern corridor earlier on Tuesday.
Each tanker had loaded 2 million barrels of Saudi crude oil at the Juaymah terminal last week, according to Kpler data. Saudi Aramco resumed oil loadings and sales from inside the strait in August.
Blockade pressure builds on the corridor
Iranian and U.S. blockades of the Strait of Hormuz have sharply curbed energy exports from the Gulf as both sides try to assert authority over the waterway. The strait carried about a fifth of global oil supplies before the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran more than six months ago. Mediation efforts by Qatar and Oman to broker a deal reopening the strait have so far proven inconclusive.
Oil prices gained on Tuesday after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes against Iran, following the first exchanges of fire since late July.
Sources: Commodities & Futures News, Economy News
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