Strait of Hormuz Under Attack: Three Liberian-Flagged Oil Tankers Struck by Unidentified Projectiles
Shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz has once again sounded alarm bells. According to maritime intelligence firm Marisks, three Liberian-flagged oil tankers were struck by unidentified projectiles on Tuesday while transiting the strait. The incidents have raised concerns about the safety and security of global oil trade.
The three vessels struck were the product tanker Al Ruwais, the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Mersin Prosperity, and the Aframax tanker Sinbad. Marisks noted that all three ships had switched off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders while passing through the strait, a measure aimed at reducing the risk of detection.
Tanker Vessels and Their Recent Activities
Kpler tracking data shows that Al Ruwais conducted a ship-to-ship transfer near Sohar, Oman in late September, offloading diesel cargo; Mersin Prosperity transferred approximately 2 million barrels of Iraqi Basrah crude to another vessel in the same waters in mid-September. Sinbad called at Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Industrial Port in early September to load refined products.
U.S. Military Buildup in the Middle East Accelerates
As the tanker attacks unfolded, Washington is significantly reinforcing its military posture in the Middle East. According to The Wall Street Journal, citing U.S. officials, the Pentagon is dispatching a third carrier strike group and additional Marine Corps vessels to the region, adding roughly 9,000 to 10,000 troops. The Financial Times reported that the deployment involves seven additional warships and at least 9,000 personnel.
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego, California this week, accompanied by its full carrier strike group. The USS Makin Island amphibious ready group has also set sail, carrying amphibious assault ships and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit. According to an Associated Press tally, the combined flotilla is transporting more than 7,000 sailors and approximately 2,000 Marines.
The carriers USS George H.W. Bush and USS George Washington are already deployed in the Middle East. If the Washington remains on station after the Roosevelt arrives, the U.S. military would be maintaining three carrier strike groups in a single theater — a rare occurrence. However, the Washington could also return to its homeport in Japan, so a sustained three-carrier deployment has not yet been finalized.
The new reinforcements will push the U.S. military’s presence in the Middle East beyond the current 50,000-plus personnel, with the total projected to potentially exceed 60,000. Over the past several months, the U.S. Navy has maintained roughly 20 vessels in the region, enforcing a blockade of Iranian ports and monitoring the Strait of Hormuz for potential threats.
Original Article: Three Oil Tankers Attacked in Strait of Hormuz; U.S. Rushes Third Carrier Strike Group to Middle East — BigGo Finance — Biggo