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Tanker Struck by Projectiles Off Qatar Coast, Casualties Reported — AI-generated representative image: A commercial tanker at sea in the Gulf, illustrating reported attacks on shipping in the region.

Editorial Team

Attack inside Qatar's exclusive economic zone as maritime incidents surge across the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

A commercial tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar was struck by multiple projectiles on Wednesday, resulting in a number of casualties, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency has announced. The vessel was hit 94 kilometres (58 miles) north of Madinat ash Shamal, an area that falls within Qatar's exclusive economic zone.

UKMTO did not specify how many people were killed or injured, nor did it identify the ship's origin, adding that authorities are investigating the incident.

The attack is notable because strikes on vessels in the open waters of the Gulf are rare. The Maritime Executive, a publication specialising in commercial shipping, reported it was the first attack on a tanker in the western half of the Gulf in weeks. Most recent maritime violence has instead concentrated in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway linking the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.

The development underscores the widening security risks facing commercial shipping in a region that remains critical to global energy supplies.

Key Developments

UKMTO confirmed the tanker was struck by several projectiles while sailing north of Madinat ash Shamal, off Qatar's northern coast. The agency has not released details on the number of casualties or the vessel's country of origin.

The incident occurred within Qatar's exclusive economic zone.
Qatar has not yet commented on the reported attack.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
UKMTO reported nine attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz this month, equal to half of the September total across both the waterway and the Gulf combined.

Background on Regional Maritime Security

Vessels have more commonly been targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway of strategic global importance. Before the United States-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, the strait typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels per day, with shipments through it accounting for roughly 20 percent of global crude and liquefied natural gas supplies.

In retaliation for US-Israeli attacks, Iran effectively closed the strait, while Washington has maintained a blockade on Iranian ports. This latest incident, however, took place outside the strait, marking an unusual escalation in the western Gulf.

Shipping and Export Data

Despite the rising number of attacks, oil exports from the Middle East have increased in recent weeks, reaching and even surpassing pre-war levels according to provisional data. The seven-day moving average of Middle East crude exports reached 18.3 million barrels per day (bpd) on September 30, compared with about 18 million bpd on average in the 12 months before the war, according to Kpler, a data firm.

UKMTO's Tuesday report of nine attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz this month reflects the sustained pressure on commercial shipping in the region, even as export volumes remain elevated.

What Lies Ahead

Authorities are currently investigating the attack, and UKMTO has not yet confirmed the exact number of casualties or the vessel's origin. Qatar has not issued an official statement on the incident. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.