12 Attacks on Ships in One Week as Hormuz Shipping Plunges 70%

LONDON, Oct 16: Twelve attacks on vessels were reported over the past week in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with one vessel lost, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said Friday.

According to UKMTO’s weekly overview, 10 attacks occurred in the Strait of Hormuz, while one was reported in the Persian Gulf and another in the Gulf of Oman.

Of the vessels involved, six continued their voyages or reached port, while two were disabled. The damage or outcome remained unconfirmed in three cases, the report said.

UKMTO warned that the actual number of attacks could be higher, saying it was struggling to establish the full scale of incidents because most targeted vessels had not reported them.

The agency recorded 135 conflict-related maritime incidents since February 28, resulting in 76 people being killed or injured.

Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also remained severely disrupted. Combined outbound and inbound transits totalled 254 over the past week, comprising 125 outbound and 129 inbound movements.

The figure was approximately 70 percent below pre-conflict levels, highlighting the continuing impact of regional hostilities on one of the world's most important maritime routes.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global energy supplies, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and international shipping routes. Continued attacks and uncertainty over maritime security have raised concerns about commercial navigation and the movement of energy shipments through the region.