- Iranian and U.S. blockades of the Strait of Hormuz have sharply curbed energy exports from the Gulf as both sides tried to assert their authority over the waterway.
- The tankers each loaded two million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal last week, Kpler data showed.
- The Saudi Arabian-flagged very large crude carrier Sidr was struck by unknown projectiles about 31 kilometres northeast of Khasab, Oman, at around 3:52 p.m. ET, and minutes later the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity was reportedly struck by three unknown projectiles also approximately 31 km east of Khasab, Marisks said.
- All crew aboard were reported safe, and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported three projectiles striking a tanker in the same location as it sailed out of the Strait of Hormuz, in what appeared to be the same incident.
- Bahri, the operator of Sidr, and Sinokor, operator of Senegal Prosperity, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
- On Tuesday, Iranian media reported that a Saudi oil tanker was stopped while transiting through the southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz.
Two supertankers carrying Saudi oil were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The Saudi Arabian-flagged very large crude carrier Sidr was hit around 3:52 p.m. ET, followed by the Liberian-flagged VLCC Senegal Prosperity minutes later, both near Khasab, Oman.34
According to shipping intelligence firms Marisks and Kpler, each tanker had loaded two million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal last week. Fortunately, all crew members aboard were reported safe after the attacks.
The incidents have raised alarms about the Omani corridor, with Marisks stating, “The near-simultaneous incidents represent a further escalation in the threat environment.” This comes amid ongoing Iranian and U.S. blockades that have sharply curtailed energy exports from the Gulf, as both nations vie for control over this critical waterway.1
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency also reported the strikes, indicating a coordinated threat to maritime operations in the region. Bahri, the operator of Sidr, and Sinokor, operator of Senegal Prosperity, have yet to comment on the incidents.7
As tensions rise, the implications for global oil markets could be significant, with analysts closely monitoring the situation for further developments.
“The Saudi-flagged VLCC Sidr was hit about 31 km northeast of Khasab, and the Liberian-flagged Senegal Prosperity was struck minutes later, with all crew reported safe. The tankers had each loaded two million barrels of Saudi crude at the Juaymah terminal last week, according to Kpler data.”
