Key facts
- A tanker was struck by multiple projectiles north of Qatar.
- The incident occurred 51 nautical miles north of Madinat al-Shamal.
- UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the attack.
- Casualties have been reported.
A tanker has been struck by multiple projectiles north of Qatar in the Gulf, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency. The incident occurred 51 nautical miles (94km) from Madinat al-Shamal, and casualties have been reported. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard identified the vessel as the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged oil and chemical tanker Acers. This is the first reported attack on a ship this far west of the Strait of Hormuz since September 9, according to Martin Kelly, head of advisory at EOS Risk Group. Merchant vessels have come under repeated attack in the region, with at least 24 seafarers killed in 93 confirmed incidents since the start of the Iran war, according to the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO). Vanguard also reported a fire on board another tanker on Thursday in the Gulf of Oman, though UKMTO has not reported this incident. Crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz have averaged 12 million barrels per day over the past two weeks, according to Kpler.