Key facts
- October saw a record number of ship attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways.
- 28 attacks were recorded in October, and 113 since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.
- 11 supertankers were damaged in October, part of over 30 damaged since the conflict began.
- The damaged vessels represent about 3.5% of the global VLCC fleet.
October has seen the highest number of ship attacks on record in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waterways, according to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Noam Raydan, a senior fellow at the institute, stated that 28 confirmed and reported attacks occurred in October, bringing the total to 113 since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recorded 120 incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East since the conflict started. More than 30 supertankers, or Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), have been damaged, including 11 in October alone, representing about 3.5% of the global VLCC fleet. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported 135 incidents related to the conflict as of October 16, noting a sharp rise in ship damage in October.