A British agency has reported an oil spill following an explosion on a tanker off the coast of Kuwait.
The explosion occurred on a tanker anchored off the coast of Kuwait in the Persian Gulf, the UK Maritime Trade Office (UKMTO) said, citing the captain.
He said he saw and heard a powerful explosion from the port side and then noticed a small vessel leaving the area of the incident.
The UKMTO is not naming the tanker, stating only that it was located 30 nautical miles (55 km) southeast of the Mubarak Al Kabir area of Kuwait. The British agency also reported that oil was detected in the water, leaking from a damaged tank. The vessel took on water, but no fire occurred, and the crew is safe.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior issued a statement stating that “the incident in question occurred outside the territorial waters of the State of Kuwait, at least 60 km from the port of Mubarak Al Kabir.” Seatrade Maritime reports that, according to maritime security company Vanguard Tech, the explosion occurred on the Suezmax tanker Sonangol Namibe.
Over the past 24 hours, attacks on five more vessels have been recorded in the area encompassing the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Ottoman Empire, and the Strait of Hormuz:
- The container ship Safeen Prestige was struck off the coast of Oman, with a fire starting in the engine room;
- The container ship MSC Grace reported that an unknown projectile fell near the vessel, the incident occurred near Dubai;
- near the city of Fujairah (UAE), a shell hit the bulk carrier Gold Oak, and the tanker Libra Trader received minor damage as a result of an explosion;
- The bulk carrier Pelagia reported a loud explosion near the vessel, 137 nautical miles from Oman.
Earlier, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it had taken complete control of the Strait of Hormuz, the only sea route from the Persian Gulf to the ocean. The fighting has brought shipping in the area to a near standstill.
