A chemical tanker was struck by multiple projectiles off the coast of Qatar on Wednesday, with casualties reported among its crew, in the latest attack on commercial shipping as violence spreads beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
The incident occurred at approximately 1900 UTC on October 7, about 51 nautical miles north of Madinat ash Shamal, Qatar, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)
.
In its warning, UKMTO said the tanker had been hit by multiple projectiles and that casualties had been reported. The agency did not specify how many seafarers were injured or killed, the extent of the damage, or the type of weapons involved.
The vessel has since been identified as the Acers, an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged chemical and oil tanker.
The location of the strike is particularly concerning. While most recent attacks have been concentrated in or near the Strait of Hormuz, Wednesday’s incident occurred farther west in the Persian Gulf, raising questions about the risks facing tankers operating well beyond the contested waterway.
The attack comes amid a sharp escalation in violence against commercial shipping. At least 12 oil and gas tankers were attacked between September 28 and October 5, according to Reuters, making it the most intense week of tanker attacks since the war with Iran began in February.
Several recent incidents have involved vessels struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting Hormuz, including an October 5 attack that caused a fire in a tanker’s engine room.
UKMTO has also issued a series of delayed warnings in recent days, with some attacks only becoming publicly known after the incidents occurred. The reporting delays have complicated efforts to establish the full scale of the violence and assess conditions for vessels navigating the region.
The latest violence also comes as Iran threatens to tighten its control over shipping routes through the strait, including the southern passages near Oman used by vessels seeking to avoid Iranian-controlled waters.
Iranian officials have threatened action against vessels using unauthorized routes, while the United States continues efforts to facilitate commercial transits through the waterway.
Despite those efforts, the latest attacks underscore the difficulties facing shipowners and operators attempting to restore normal trading patterns in the Persian Gulf.
Wednesday’s strike is especially troubling because it demonstrates that the threat to commercial shipping is not confined to vessels attempting to enter or leave the Gulf through Hormuz. Tankers already operating inside the Gulf may also be exposed.
UKMTO has not attributed the attack on the Acers to any party. Authorities are investigating the incident, and vessels operating in the area have been advised to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.
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