Explosion Reported on Tanker 60 Nautical Miles Off Oman Coast

MUSCAT, May 26: A tanker reported an external explosion off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, which issued a maritime advisory following the incident.

UKMTO said the explosion occurred approximately 60 nautical miles east of Muscat, affecting the port side aft of the vessel near the waterline. The report was received from the ship’s master, who confirmed an external blast on the tanker.

Despite the incident, UKMTO stated that the crew and vessel remained safe and under control. However, the master reported that some bunker fuel had leaked into the sea following the explosion.

Authorities have not yet identified the cause of the incident, and investigations are currently underway to determine whether the explosion was accidental or the result of external interference.

UKMTO issued a warning to all vessels transiting the area, advising them to exercise extreme caution and immediately report any suspicious activity in the region.

The advisory comes amid heightened maritime security concerns in strategic shipping lanes near the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Gulf region, where commercial shipping traffic remains highly sensitive to regional tensions.