Tanker Explosion Report Off Oman Coast Slows Shipping Through Strait of Hormuz

MUSCAT, Aug 3: Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed on Monday following reports of attacks on vessels, including an explosion reported near a tanker off the coast of Oman, raising fresh security concerns in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received a report of an incident about 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. According to UKMTO, the master of a tanker reported hearing an explosion in close proximity to the vessel. The ship and its crew were reported safe, while authorities launched an investigation into the incident.

UKMTO has advised vessels transiting the area to exercise heightened caution and report any suspicious activity.

Meanwhile, shipping data showed vessel movements through key regional waterways have slowed amid growing security risks.

According to Kpler data, 18 commodity vessels transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait on Sunday, down from 27 on Saturday and 28 on Friday, indicating a decline in shipping traffic following the latest security threats.

Despite the risks, two tankers carrying Saudi oil successfully crossed the Bab el-Mandeb over the weekend.

The latest developments come after the Iran-aligned Houthi movement announced a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia on July 20, expanding its campaign against commercial shipping beyond the Persian Gulf to target tankers transporting oil and other commodities.