UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it is 'struggling to accurately report true number of attacks' in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that most vessels targeted in the waterway are refusing to report incidents directly.
In its latest weekly assessment UKMTO recorded 135 incidents related to the Iran‑US conflict since hostilities began on 28 February, including 114 reports of vessel damage and 76 people killed or injured. The most recent week saw twelve attacks, ten in the Strait itself, one in the Arabian Gulf and another in the Gulf of Oman. Of the vessels involved, one was lost, two were disabled and three had unconfirmed outcomes.
Specific incidents highlighted by UKMTO and maritime security firms include a 302,977-dwt VLCC flagged in the Marshall Islands that suffered an engine room fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile about 68 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubail, with all 15 Indian seafarers evacuated to a nearby UAE-flagged containership. Another tanker was hit by a rocket‑propelled grenade fired from a small boat roughly 78 nautical miles northeast of Al Jubail, damaging its aft port quarter. A tug travelling south about 20 nautical miles northeast of Khorfakkan was struck by two unidentified projectiles, leaving one crewmember with minor injuries.
UKMTO also reported that vessel transits through the strait have fallen sharply, with 254 transits recorded in a week - roughly 70% below pre-war levels. The Joint Maritime Information Center noted around 217 vessels waiting at anchor near Fujairah and Khorfakkan on Sunday, indicating growing congestion outside the strait.
Despite the attacks, Signal Ocean data shows approximately 13.9 million barrels per day of crude and 2.3 million barrels per day of oil products still moving through Hormuz. SEB described the disruption as 'more a risk-premium story than a volume blockage', noting that oil continues to flow via the shuttle system established to sustain exports.
Cover image: ImagePerson, CC BY 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.
