Tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz reach highest level since Iran war began

[Financial News]

Attacks on tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz are believed to be taking place almost daily. They have surged to their highest level since the Iran war broke out on February 28 (local time). As crude exports from Persian Gulf countries rebounded, Iran began tightening its grip again.
According to the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO), 11 tankers were attacked while transiting Hormuz during the week through the 4th. This is the highest figure since the Iran war broke out.
Five more tankers were attacked this week. On the 5th, the UAE-owned, Panama-flagged tanker Onpiseu was attacked and caught fire, injuring 12 Indian crew members.
On the 8th, the U.S. military’s Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) urged vessels to exercise caution, saying, “These actions demonstrate Iran’s intent to project its presence along key routes and maintain pressure on vessels transiting them.” JMIC is a coalition body of the U.S. military and allied forces that monitors regional maritime security; it is headquartered in Bahrain.
According to the Iranian outlet Fars News Agency, which is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a senior IRGC officer declared on the 7th that all “illegal routes” through the Strait of Hormuz would be blocked.
Iran’s attacks on tankers have intensified since it was confirmed last month that Middle Eastern crude exports had returned to prewar levels, as the U.S. military began escorting vessels along routes off Oman’s coast.
According to CNBC, Michelle Wiese Bockmann, a senior maritime intelligence analyst at risk management firm Windward, noted, “Crude is moving through the strait, but this is a period of extremely high maritime risk.”
IMO statistics also confirm that navigating the Strait of Hormuz carries serious risks. According to the IMO, at least 9 seafarers have been killed in attacks on vessels since July.
Richard Meade, editor of maritime trade publication Lloyd’s List, stressed at a briefing on the 8th, “This is an unsustainable new normal.”
On the 7th, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) rebutted Iran’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz was blocked, saying that 20 million barrels had moved through the strait. But the following day, it urged vessels transiting the strait to exercise caution.
According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler on the 9th, crude exports through Hormuz reached 8.5 million barrels per day during the week through the 7th. Total crude shipments from the Middle East also reached 15.3 million barrels per day, or 90% of prewar levels.

[email protected] Song Gyeong-jae Reporter