More tankers hit in the Strait of Hormuz as attacks continue into November
A possible attack on a Saudi-flagged tanker was reported in the Strait of Hormuz on November 11, and a Sinokor VLCC was struck on November 10 with four crew injured — the eighth Sinokor tanker attacked since July — as Washington Institute data reported by Reuters counted 37 vessels attacked in October and 10 more so far in November.
The News
Attacks on Gulf shipping continued into November 11. UK Maritime Trade Operations issued a warning of a reported incident involving a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, identified by maritime security firm Vanguard Tech as the Saudi-flagged tanker NCC Fajr; details of location and damage were not immediately available. Ambrey, another maritime security firm, reported a further projectile strike about seven nautical miles northeast of Lima on November 11.
Separately, the Liberian-flagged VLCC Fujairah Energy, operated by Sinokor, was hit by a projectile on November 10 while sailing from Al Ruwais toward Dubai, according to Seatrade Maritime, citing India's ports minister Sarbananda Sonowal. Four of its 22 crew were injured. A VLCC is a very large crude carrier — one of the biggest tankers afloat. It is at least the eighth Sinokor tanker confirmed attacked in the Strait since July, a pattern that now looks targeted rather than random.
One incident in this week's reporting needs untangling. The Barbados-flagged SEA 1 was hit by a drone strike about 19 nautical miles northeast of Lima on November 10 — reported here yesterday as the UKMTO projectile incident. It is the same event, now identified by vessel name, not a second attack. According to Washington Institute data reported by Reuters, 37 vessels were attacked in October, the highest monthly total of the conflict, and 10 more so far in November. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy claims several tankers struck naval mines on unauthorised routes; those claims remain unverified by any independent party.
Eight tankers from one operator since July is a pattern, not a coincidence.
Why It Matters
The attacks matter because the Strait of Hormuz is the world's most important oil chokepoint — roughly a fifth of the world's seaborne oil passes through it. Every strike raises the cost of moving oil: insurers raise premiums, owners reroute or delay, and the risk of a tanker being hit becomes a line item in the price of every barrel. Brent settled at $92.76 on Wednesday, up $1.27, and the shipping risk is part of why.
The Sinokor pattern matters most. Eight tankers from one operator attacked since July is not coincidence — it suggests a campaign aimed at a specific company, or at the trade it carries. The Fujairah Energy was sailing from Al Ruwais toward Dubai, a short regional run, when it was hit. If even short Gulf voyages are unsafe, the disruption spreads from long-haul crude to the everyday movement of oil inside the region.
The counting matters too. Thirty-seven vessels in October, the highest monthly total of the conflict, and ten more in the first eleven days of November, says the pace is not slowing. The market has so far treated each incident as contained — no closure of the strait, no major spill — but the trend is toward more attacks, not fewer, and the unverified mine claims add a hazard that is harder to defend against than a projectile.
Analyst's Take
The attacks are escalating — 37 vessels in October, 10 more in November, a reported possible attack on a named Saudi-flagged tanker on November 11 and four crew injured on the Fujairah Energy — and the Strait of Hormuz is too important for that to be anything but serious. But the strait is still open, no vessel has been sunk, and oil at $92.76 reflects a risk premium, not a supply cutoff.
What to watch: whether the NCC Fajr incident produces confirmed damage, whether the November tally keeps climbing past October's record, and whether any independent party verifies the mine claims. If the strait stays open, the market absorbs the risk. If a tanker is sunk or the strait is threatened, the price moves first and the questions come later.
By The Numbers
FAQ
What happened on November 11?
UK Maritime Trade Operations issued a warning of a reported incident involving a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, identified by maritime security firm Vanguard Tech as the Saudi-flagged tanker NCC Fajr. Details of its location and damage were not immediately available, and Ambrey reported a further projectile strike about seven nautical miles northeast of Lima the same day.
What happened to the Fujairah Energy?
The Liberian-flagged VLCC Fujairah Energy, operated by Sinokor, was hit by a projectile on November 10 while sailing from Al Ruwais toward Dubai. Four of its 22 crew were injured, confirmed by India's ports minister. It is at least the eighth Sinokor tanker confirmed attacked in the Strait since July.
What is the SEA 1?
The Barbados-flagged SEA 1 was hit by a drone strike about 19 nautical miles northeast of Lima on November 10. It was reported yesterday as the UKMTO projectile incident — the same event, now identified by vessel name.
How many vessels have been attacked?
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy counted 37 vessels attacked in October — the highest monthly total of the conflict — and 10 more so far in November.
What does Iran say?
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy claims several tankers struck naval mines on what it calls unauthorised routes. Those claims remain unverified by any independent party.
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Source: Riviera Maritime