A vessel was struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of the United Arab Emirates on Friday. The strike caused a fire on board, but the blaze was later put out. The incident has raised fresh concerns about the safety of ships in the Gulf region.
The vessel was hit about 13 nautical miles, or 24 kilometres, west of Al Jazeera in the UAE. The incident took place at 10:00 GMT on October 9, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Two shipping and security sources said the vessel was the Panama-flagged oil tanker GEM NO.2. The tanker was fully loaded with crude oil and had been anchored off the UAE coast, based on ship tracking data.
No group has claimed responsibility for the strike. The cause of the incident remains unclear, and authorities are still looking into what happened.
The status of the crew, the extent of damage to the ship, and any impact on the marine environment remain unknown. UKMTO has urged ships in the area to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.
Oil Tanker Reported a Fire
Maritime risk management group Vanguard said GEM NO.2 was struck by an unknown projectile about 13 nautical miles west of Al Jazeera.
The group reported that the tanker sent a distress alert after the strike. The alert indicated that a fire had broken out on board. The fire was later extinguished.
The incident has raised questions about the safety of oil tankers operating near the UAE coast. Such ships carry large amounts of fuel, making damage or fire a serious concern for crews and nearby vessels.
The tanker’s operator, listed in shipping records as Gem No.2 Maritime Corp and based in Panama, could not be reached for comment.
UKMTO has not officially named the vessel. The agency said the incident was under investigation and confirmed that key details remained unknown.
Investigators will need to establish what struck the ship and whether the attack caused damage beyond the reported fire. They will also need to confirm the condition of the crew.
Risks Grow Across Gulf Shipping Routes
The strike comes amid a rise in attacks and threats against ships in the wider Gulf region. Tankers face growing risks as they carry vital oil supplies through key sea routes.
Earlier in the week, another tanker was struck off the coast of Qatar, inside the Gulf. The latest incident took place outside the Strait of Hormuz area, according to maritime security sources.
Those sources said the location of the new strike could point to a wider area of risk for commercial ships. However, no official link between the incidents has been confirmed.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for oil shipments. It connects the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the open sea. Large volumes of crude oil and other energy supplies pass through the narrow waterway.
Any threat to shipping in the area can raise concerns for ship owners, energy firms, and governments that rely on steady oil supplies.
Iran Warnings Add to Security Concerns
The latest incident follows warnings from Iran that it could block sea routes that it has not approved. These warnings have added to concerns about the safe movement of tankers through the region.
Maritime sources said ships face a higher risk of attacks and intimidation as they try to move key supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Joint Maritime Information Center, a US Navy-led maritime security body, warned on Thursday that attacks had become more frequent in recent days.
The center said the trend required greater care from ship crews and more monitoring by the shipping industry.
Shipping firms may need to review security plans and keep crews informed about new threats. They may also need to follow official warnings and report unusual activity during voyages.
Investigation Continues
The latest strike has added to concerns about the safety of commercial vessels near the UAE and across nearby waters. Yet many details remain unconfirmed.
Authorities have not identified those responsible or explained what type of projectile hit the tanker. They have also not confirmed whether the incident was linked to other recent attacks.
The condition of GEM NO.2 and its crew remains a key concern. Investigators will also assess any damage to the ship and possible effects on the sea.
For now, UKMTO has advised vessels to move with caution and report suspicious activity. Further details are expected as authorities continue to examine the incident and assess the risks to shipping in the region.
