Strait of Hormuz Under Attack: Two Tankers Struck by Drones
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued two separate attack warnings Friday after receiving reports from military authorities that tankers had been struck by unmanned aerial vehicles while conducting outbound transits of the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks, which occurred just a day after reports emerged that the UAE state oil company was expanding its shuttle operation to move Iraqi crude through the contested waterway.
The two vessels, affiliated with Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., suffered minor damage, while their crews were reported safe and accounted for. No environmental impact was reported. ADNOC confirmed Thursday evening that two of its vessels were attacked and said the situations had been brought under control. The United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for the strikes, which marked the latest attacks on ADNOC-linked shipping in less than a week.
UAE Blames Iran for Attacks
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned and denounced the hostile Iranian attack that targeted two vessels affiliated with ADNOC as they transited the Strait of Hormuz. The ministry described the targeting of commercial shipping and use of the Strait as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail as “acts of piracy” by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps. The statement called on Tehran to halt attacks and commit to the “complete and unconditional reopening” of the waterway.
The timing is notable, as ADNOC’s trading arm was offering to shuttle Iraqi oil exports through Hormuz, extending a strategy that has helped the UAE move its own crude despite the severe disruption to normal shipping. Under this system, vessels make short voyages through the Strait, sometimes with their AIS transponders switched off, before transferring cargo to other vessels outside the Gulf.
Risks Facing Expanded Shuttle Operation
The attacks underscore the risks facing a system that has become increasingly important to keeping Gulf oil moving while normal commercial traffic remains severely constrained. UKMTO’s latest assessment from August 14 shows just how far shipping remains from normal. The agency recorded 75 outbound and 76 inbound full transits over the previous seven days, with both directions running at just 17% of the pre-conflict average.
Tankers accounted for the largest share of vessels making the passage. UKMTO said operators were increasingly favoring the northern route, which is controlled by Iran, following projectile attacks, persistent security concerns and heightened enforcement activity. The southern U.S.-coordinated route through Omani waters has emerged as particularly dangerous, with multiple vessels having aborted planned transits or shifted north following attacks.
Consequences for ADNOC and Global Oil Market
The latest attacks add further pressure to an already fragile flow of oil through the Strait. Before the conflict, more than 130 ships typically passed through Hormuz each day. The two strikes also represent another setback for ADNOC, which has emerged as one of the most active operators attempting to maintain Gulf exports despite the disruption. The company said last week that attacks on its vessels were having a significant impact on its operations, while maintaining that it remained committed to meeting customer demand.
The expanded shuttle operation and increased reliance on the Strait of Hormuz highlight the critical role this waterway plays in global oil supply chains. As tensions continue to escalate, the risks facing commercial shipping and the global oil market remain high.
Original Article: Two Tankers Attacked as UAE Expands Hormuz Oil Shuttle — Gcaptain