An Adnoc tanker has been damaged in an attack inside the United Arab Emirates’ territorial waters, marking another incident along a key maritime route used to transport energy supplies from the Arabian Gulf. The latest strike adds to growing concerns about the safety of commercial vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz.
The UAE’s state-owned oil company confirmed that one of its vessels was attacked on Tuesday afternoon. The incident took place within the country’s territorial seas in the Arabian Gulf, according to a statement from Adnoc’s logistics division.
The company said the vessel sustained damage and that response operations were under way. It did not provide further details about the extent of the damage, the nature of the attack or whether anyone was injured.
Adnoc also urged the public not to spread unconfirmed reports about the incident. The company asked people to avoid circulating rumours or information that had not been verified.
The attack is the latest reported strike affecting vessels on the so-called Hormuz shuttle route. This shipping corridor connects energy producers in the Arabian Gulf with major transshipment hubs in the Gulf of Oman. It is an important route for moving oil and other energy supplies to international markets.
Adnoc is among the major operators involved in shipping through the region. Its vessels operate in an area where maritime security has become increasingly important because of the volume of energy cargo transported through nearby waters.
The company has faced reported threats before. Footage circulated last week appeared to show an Adnoc-linked tanker on fire in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the images had not been independently verified.
The vessel shown in the footage carried the markings of a tanker associated with the Navig8 fleet. Adnoc had recently acquired the fleet, raising questions about whether the ship was connected to the company’s expanding shipping operations.
The latest incident also came as another tanker attack was reported near the coast of Oman. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre, known as UKMTO, said a commercial vessel had been struck at a position about 19 nautical miles northeast of Lima, Oman.
The location was on the opposite side of the Strait of Hormuz from the area where Adnoc reported its damaged vessel.
UKMTO said the crew of the tanker was safe following the incident. The vessel’s master planned to carry out a more detailed inspection of the damage at first light.
The agency did not provide further information about the cause of the strike or the weapon involved. The available details also did not establish whether the two attacks were connected.
The incidents highlight the risks facing commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, linking the Arabian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean.
Oil producers and shipping companies depend on the corridor to move large volumes of energy cargo. Any disruption can create uncertainty for vessel operators, insurers, energy traders and countries that rely on supplies from the region.
The route’s importance also means that attacks on individual tankers can draw wider international attention. Damage to commercial vessels can lead to delays, additional security measures and higher operating costs, even when crews remain safe.
For Adnoc, the latest attack raises further questions about the security of its maritime operations. The company has not yet released a full account of the damage or explained when the affected vessel may return to service.
Authorities and response teams are continuing their work following the incident. Further information is expected as the damage assessment progresses.
With another tanker also reported struck near Oman, shipping operators are facing renewed uncertainty across a vital regional corridor. The latest incidents underline the importance of verified information and effective maritime security as commercial vessels continue to move through the waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
