A Panama-flagged tanker has resumed its voyage after attackers in a small boat fastened explosives to its hull in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a shift in the methods used against commercial shipping in the waterway.
The Louise 1, a 159,092 dwt tanker, was attacked 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. According to UKMTO, a small boat approached the vessel's port side and attached two explosive devices above the waterline. The explosions triggered an engine room fire and temporarily disabled the ship. The fire has been extinguished and all crew are safe. No pollution was reported.
Maritime security firm Vanguard Tech reported the incident. The tactic departs from the missile, drone and small-arms strikes that have dominated attacks on merchant shipping during the eight-month conflict.
The International Maritime Organization has recorded 121 confirmed attacks on merchant vessels across the region since hostilities began in late February. Thirty-four of those occurred between September 28 and October 27, and 24 seafarers have lost their lives.
For owners and charterers, the emergence of hull-mounted explosives means the threat profile in the Strait now includes close-quarters boarding tactics alongside aerial and missile attacks. War-risk premiums and routing decisions typically respond to shifts in the methods used against vessels.
Cover image: Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
