The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a significant battleground amid the ongoing six-month conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel, leading to numerous attacks on commercial vessels in this crucial shipping route for oil and gas. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has documented a total of 68 incidents in the Gulf and surrounding waters, averaging one incident every 2.6 days. Tragically, these events have resulted in at least 20 fatalities among seafarers and port workers, with an additional 35 individuals injured and one person reported missing.
Approximately half of these incidents have involved tankers, while container ships and bulk carriers accounted for 20% and 15%, respectively. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) categorized 47 of these incidents as attacks. Liberia-flagged vessels have been the most affected, involved in 13 incidents, followed closely by Panama and Marshall Islands-flagged vessels.
The frequency of incidents has fluctuated throughout the war, with a significant spike observed from late February until mid-June, averaging one incident every 2.3 days during this period. This phase accounted for the majority of casualties. Following peace talks, the rate of incidents decreased, but has since risen again, with four seafarers killed and 16 injured as hostilities resumed.
