Tanker struck by projectile off Oman near Strait of Hormuz

A tanker was struck by an unknown projectile off Oman, leaving minor structural damage on its port side. UKMTO confirmed all crew members were safe and accounted for, no pollution was reported, and the vessel continued to its next port of call.

The strike was about 19 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman, and about 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima. The ship’s company security officer logged the incident at 22:10 UTC, and the damage was minor rather than disabling.

The Strait of Hormuz links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it a narrow passage. Around a quarter of global seaborne oil trade passes through the waterway, according to UNCTAD. The International Energy Agency’s Strait of Hormuz factsheet was last updated in February 2026. The route sits at the center of tanker traffic between Gulf producers and buyers across Asia, Europe and beyond.

For shipowners and cargo insurers, a projectile strike can quickly affect war-risk pricing, freight rates and route planning. UKMTO has operated for more than 25 years, and commercial fleets watch its advisories because they shape decisions on speed, security precautions and whether to keep sailing through the region or divert elsewhere. The incident also followed a separate Omani-coast tanker episode on July 14 involving the chemical tanker Stolt Magnesium.