Two tankers linked to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were targeted by drone strikes while navigating the Strait of Hormuz, following reports of ADNOC’s plans to enhance its shuttle operations for transporting Iraqi crude oil through the contentious passage. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued warnings about the attacks after military sources confirmed that unmanned aerial vehicles struck the vessels during their outbound transit, though only minor damages were reported and the crews remained unharmed.
In a statement, ADNOC confirmed that the situation with the attacked vessels had been contained and indicated that Iran was responsible for the strikes. The UAE government condemned the attacks, labeling them as acts of piracy and urging Tehran to cease such hostilities and restore safe passage in the waterway. These attacks highlight ongoing tensions in the region and the risks associated with ADNOC’s shipping operations, which are crucial for maintaining oil flows amidst significant commercial disruptions.
The recent incidents coincide with ADNOC’s expansion of its strategy to shuttle Iraqi oil exports, a move aimed at navigating the dangers in the area. While the affected vessels’ cargoes were not confirmed to include Iraqi crude, the attacks underscore the precarious situation for maritime shipping in the Gulf. According to UKMTO’s latest assessments, shipping activity remains far below pre-conflict levels, with operators increasingly favoring routes that may be less secure due to rising security threats and regional tensions.
