Tanker Attacks Pile Up in Strait of Hormuz as Reporting Delays Mount
The Strait of Hormuz has seen another wave of tanker attacks, with three new incidents surfacing through delayed reports from UK Maritime Trade Operations. These warnings were issued on September 30, but the incidents occurred on September 29.
According to UKMTO, all three incidents involved vessels being struck by unknown projectiles on their port sides. The first incident involved a crude oil tanker, while the second and third incidents involved tankers transiting through the strait without further details provided.
These reports bring the total number of recently disclosed time-late incidents to at least four, highlighting the growing uncertainty over how quickly incidents in the water are making it into the public record. The UKMTO operates a voluntary reporting system for merchant shipping across the region, relying on information being passed along by vessels, companies, or other authorities.
The issue has become more pressing as competing claims emerge over the number of ships being targeted. Iran has said its forces struck multiple vessels in recent days, while publicly available incident reports show a smaller number.