Tanker Hit by Unknown Projectile in Strait of Hormuz, UKMTO Says

A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Thursday, marking another attack on commercial shipping in the critical waterway.

The UKMTO said it received a third-party report that the vessel was struck and caught fire. The crew was reported safe. The extent of damage to the ship and any environmental consequences were not immediately known.

Authorities launched an investigation, and there was no immediate claim of responsibility. The UKMTO advised vessels to transit with caution and to report suspicious activity while the inquiry continues.

The incident adds to mounting risks for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Roughly one-fifth of global petroleum liquids trade passes through the strait, making any disruption there a potential shock to energy markets, insurance costs and freight rates.

The waterway is also a key route for liquefied natural gas and fertilizer exports, so sustained threats to traffic can ripple beyond oil into food and fuel prices. Iran is largely blocking traffic through the strait as part of its ongoing conflict with the United States, according to the account.

With vessels already facing heightened security warnings, shipowners and charterers may weigh longer routes, higher insurance premiums and delays. The UKMTO said the investigation was ongoing and urged crews to remain vigilant.