Tanker Struck by Projectiles North of Qatar, UKMTO Confirms

LONDON — The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed on Saturday that a tanker was hit by several projectiles north of Qatar’s coast in the Persian Gulf. The incident, reported at 10:07 GMT, marks the first deep‑Gulf tanker attack in nearly a month, according to industry monitoring sites.

Details of the attack

UKMTO said the vessel, identified only as a commercial tanker, sustained projectile impacts while transiting the northern Gulf corridor. The agency did not disclose the type of projectiles or the flag of the ship. No injuries were reported among the crew, and the tanker remained afloat after the strike.

Agency response and navigation warnings

UKMTO issued an advisory urging ships in the area to exercise heightened vigilance and to follow any further instructions from maritime security forces. The agency also notified the International Maritime Organization and regional naval patrols of the incident.

Market reaction

Oil‑price trackers noted a modest uptick in benchmark crude futures following the news, citing concerns that the attack could disrupt short‑term supply flows through the Gulf, a key export route for Middle‑East oil. Analysts described the price movement as limited, reflecting the absence of confirmed damage to cargo or a prolonged shutdown of shipping lanes.

Context and previous incidents

The strike comes after a series of maritime security incidents in the Gulf region earlier this year, though attacks on tankers have been relatively rare. The latest event is the first recorded projectile strike on a deep‑Gulf tanker since late August, when a similar incident was reported off the coast of Saudi Arabia.

International monitoring

Al Jazeera and other news outlets cited UKMTO’s statement, reiterating that the agency is monitoring the situation closely. No claim of responsibility has been made, and regional authorities have not released further details on the perpetrators.