LONDON, Oct 9 (Reuters) - A ship was hit by an unknown projectile 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera in the United Arab Emirates on Friday, causing a fire that has now been put out, according to UKMTO, a British navy-affiliated organization, which cited various sources.
There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack, but maritime security experts noted that the strike occurred outside the Hormuz area, suggesting an increased risk for vessels in the region.
Earlier this week, another tanker was hit near the coast of Qatar in the Gulf.
The condition of the crew, the extent of the damage, and the environmental consequences of Friday's incident are still unknown. UKMTO stated that authorities are looking into the matter.
Typically, UKMTO does not disclose the names of affected vessels, but two shipping and security sources identified the ship involved as the Panama-flagged crude supertanker GEM NO.2.
According to British maritime risk management group Vanguard, “GEM NO.2 was struck by an unknown projectile approximately 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera, UAE, at 1000 (GMT).”
They added that the vessel sent a distress signal indicating a fire on board, which was later extinguished.
The Panama-based company that operates the vessel, listed as Gem No.2 Maritime Corp in shipping databases, could not be reached for comment.
Data from LSEG ship tracking revealed the last known position of the tanker, which was fully loaded with oil, was anchored off the UAE coast.
Tankers are facing increased risks of attacks and intimidation as they navigate the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting that Iran has issued fresh warnings about blocking unauthorized routes, following a rise in incidents in the past week.
The frequency of attacks has risen recently, prompting the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center to emphasize the need for enhanced crew vigilance and greater monitoring within the industry, as stated in their latest update on Thursday.