Oman: A tanker was struck by a missile while sailing off the coast of Oman, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Tuesday, Anadolu Ajansi reported. The vessel was hit while transiting outbound along the southern shipping route, approximately 13 nautical miles southeast of Limah, Oman, as stated in a UKMTO notice.
According to Nam News Network, authorities are investigating the incident and have advised vessels in the area to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity. Stolt Tankers identified the vessel as the Stolt Magnesium, which suffered an explosion caused by an unidentified external device while on passage off Oman.
The company had earlier reported a fire aboard one of its tankers but did not immediately provide details on casualties, damage, or the condition of the crew. This incident comes amid heightened security risks around the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage for global oil and gas shipments, following renewed military escalation and attacks on commercial vessels in the region.
Shipping traffic through the strategic waterway has slowed sharply as vessel operators increasingly resort to alternative routes or delay crossings due to the security threat.