First oil tanker attacked in the Strait of Hormuz according to Oman
The first attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz took place on Sunday morning.
Oman Maritime Security Center announced that the oil tanker Skylight, flying the flag of the Republic of Palau, was targeted approximately five nautical miles (9.26 km) north of Khasab Port.
In the statement shared on
Preliminary information also indicates that at least four people were injured and transported for treatment.
It was not confirmed who attacked the ship, but the incident followed a statement by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz was closed to international navigation.
Omani officials also stated that the port of Duqm was targeted by a drone attack.
The country was acting as a mediator between Tehran and Washington in the recent nuclear negotiations.
Strait of Hormuz
Following US and Israeli attacks on Iran, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and led to Iranian missile retaliation, the Revolutionary Guard issued radio warnings stating that the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed and no ships were allowed to pass.
Although Tehran did not make an official statement about the full blockade, the threats triggered an immediate disruption. Ship traffic has plummeted due to ships waiting outside the Gulf of Oman or making U-turns during transit.
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Most major shipowners and operators have suspended operations in the Strait of Hormuz, and marine insurers have also ceased insurance for all voyages in the region; This left carriers facing huge risk premiums or outright rejection.
Specific examples include the very large crude carrier KHK Empress, partially loaded with Omani crude, and the Desh Abhimaan, sailing under the Indian flag, both of which have returned.
global oil market
Oil futures reopened this Sunday evening amid widespread talk that Brent crude will reach $100 a barrel, levels last seen after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Analysts at Barclays, among other firms, have publicly raised forecasts to that threshold and warned that a prolonged shutdown could block up to 20 million barrels per day, representing about 20% of global supply.
Eight OPEC+ countries, namely Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, UAE, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, met virtually on Sunday to review global market conditions and outlook.
In a press release, they announced a small increase in oil production of 206,000 barrels per day starting in April.
The statement also informed that the eight OPEC+ countries will “hold monthly meetings to review market conditions, compliance and compensation,” with the next conference scheduled for April 5.
The kinetic naval blockade of Iran has not yet occurred, but the actual closure and insurance gap has created extreme volatility.
Ship tracking monitors show that the vast majority of traffic is at a standstill on both sides, and any increase or decrease in tensions will determine the market reaction.
