Gulf tanker strikes threaten global energy routes

Attacks on commercial tankers in the Gulf have intensified as hostilities between the United States and Iran expand into maritime routes, raising fears of prolonged disruption to one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.

Multiple vessels have been struck by drones, missiles or explosive boats in waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, according to maritime security authorities and shipping industry data. Several tankers have been damaged and seafarers killed or injured, while dozens of ships have remained anchored outside the strait amid growing safety concerns. Analysts warn that the escalation could reshape global oil and gas supply chains if shipping traffic continues to decline.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime channel linking the Gulf with the Arabian Sea, carries roughly a fifth of the world’s daily oil supply and large volumes of liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers. Disruption to this passage has triggered immediate volatility in energy markets and shipping insurance rates as tanker operators reassess the risks of operating in the region.

Several incidents have underscored the deteriorating security environment. A fuel tanker caught fire after being struck by drones while transiting the strait, with maritime tracking data confirming the vessel’s presence in the shipping lane before the attack. Another tanker carrying more than 59,000 tonnes of cargo was hit by a drone boat off the coast of Oman, causing an explosion in the engine room and killing a crew member while forcing the evacuation of the rest of the multinational crew.

Additional strikes targeted shipping near Omani waters, where a Palau-flagged tanker was attacked close to Khasab port, injuring several crew members. Maritime security agencies said the incidents occurred within days of each other, reflecting a sharp increase in threats against commercial vessels navigating the Gulf’s shipping lanes.

Industry observers describe the pattern of attacks as part of a broader confrontation between Washington and Tehran that has moved beyond land and air operations into strategic maritime zones. The United States military reported sinking an Iranian warship at a pier in the Gulf of Oman during ongoing operations against Iranian forces, marking a significant escalation in the confrontation and intensifying fears of retaliation at sea.

Military activity has coincided with warnings from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that passage through the Strait of Hormuz could be restricted during wartime conditions. Such declarations, combined with the attacks themselves, have led to a dramatic fall in tanker traffic as ship owners delay voyages or reroute vessels away from the region.

Shipping advisories issued by several governments illustrate the mounting concern within the maritime industry. Authorities in Greece urged ships flying its flag to avoid high-risk routes including the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, warning that vessels could face missile or drone strikes, electronic interference or other forms of harassment linked to the conflict.

The broader geopolitical context has amplified those fears. Military strikes against Iranian targets by the United States and its regional partners prompted retaliatory actions from Tehran, including attacks on energy infrastructure and shipping routes across the Gulf region. Oil facilities and ports in neighbouring states have also faced drone or missile strikes, signalling that the confrontation may expand beyond maritime targets.

Energy markets have responded quickly to the heightened uncertainty. Benchmark crude prices surged after the disruption of shipping routes and damage to energy infrastructure, while natural gas markets experienced sharp price movements amid concerns about liquefied natural gas exports from the Gulf. Analysts estimate that any sustained closure or obstruction of the Strait of Hormuz could affect roughly 20 per cent of global oil flows and a significant portion of seaborne LNG trade.

Insurance costs for vessels operating in the Gulf have risen as underwriters reassess the risk of war-related incidents. War-risk premiums for tanker transits through the strait have increased sharply, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the cost of a single voyage for large crude carriers, according to maritime insurance brokers and shipping consultants.

Shipping companies and energy traders are now evaluating alternative supply routes and storage strategies to mitigate disruptions. Some cargoes have been redirected toward pipelines and export terminals outside the Gulf, while others remain anchored offshore waiting for security conditions to stabilise.

Historical precedents continue to shape perceptions of the crisis. Maritime confrontations in the Gulf during the 1980s Iran-Iraq conflict led to a prolonged “tanker war”, when commercial ships were attacked and mined in contested waters. That episode prompted international naval escorts and eventually broader military involvement to secure shipping lanes.

Current tensions carry similar risks, according to maritime security analysts, though the scale of global energy dependence on Gulf exports is far greater today. Several shipping groups say their fleets are awaiting guidance from insurers and naval authorities before resuming normal transit schedules.