Two oil supertankers struck by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Two massive oil tankers were struck by projectiles while moving through one of the world's most critical shipping lanes on Tuesday, according to maritime security consultant Marisks. The incidents occurred in quick succession as both vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passage between Oman and Iran through which roughly one-third of global seaborne oil flows.

The Sidr, a very large crude carrier operated by Saudi Arabia's Bahri shipping company, was hit while sailing northeast of Khasab, Oman. Minutes later, the Senegal Prosperity, managed by South Korean shipping firm Sinokor, was struck by three projectiles while traveling east of the same location. Both ships were leaving the Persian Gulf at the time, according to Marisks's account. Neither Bahri nor Sinokor responded to immediate requests for comment about the incidents or the condition of their vessels.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors shipping activity in the region, separately confirmed that one tanker had reported being struck by three unknown projectiles while completing an outbound passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The authority did not identify which vessel had made that report, leaving some ambiguity about whether it referred to one of the two ships Marisks described or a separate incident.

The identity of whoever fired the projectiles remains unknown, as does their motive. No group claimed responsibility for the strikes. The attacks mark the latest in a pattern of maritime incidents that have roiled shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in recent years, a chokepoint where roughly 21 million barrels of oil pass daily. Any sustained disruption to traffic through the passage carries immediate consequences for global energy markets and the economies that depend on steady crude supplies.

The incidents underscore the vulnerability of commercial shipping in one of the world's most strategically sensitive waterways. Supertankers like the Sidr and Senegal Prosperity are among the largest vessels afloat, carrying millions of barrels of crude oil. Their size makes them slow-moving targets, and damage to their hulls can result in catastrophic spills. The fact that both ships were struck while exiting the gulf—a moment when they are laden with cargo and moving through the narrowest part of their journey—suggests the attacks were deliberately timed or positioned to maximize impact.

The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint for regional tensions for decades. The waterway is bordered by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, and its narrow width means that any military or non-state actor with access to projectile weapons can threaten passing traffic. Previous incidents in the region have included drone attacks, mine placements, and direct strikes on vessels, though attribution has often remained murky and contested by the parties involved.

For now, the two tanker companies and international maritime authorities are investigating what struck their vessels and from where. The lack of immediate clarity about the attackers' identity or intent adds to the uncertainty facing shipping companies operating in the region. Insurance costs for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz have historically spiked during periods of heightened tension, and Tuesday's incidents are likely to renew concerns among insurers and operators about the true cost of moving oil through this vital but volatile passage.