An oil tanker was hit by an “unknown projectile” off Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on Monday, sparking a fire on the vessel’s main deck, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The incident was reported about 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu, a major Saudi port city on the Red Sea. The maritime security agency said the vessel's crew remained safe after the attack.
Tanker hit near Yanbu
UKMTO said the vessel's Company Security Officer reported the incident after the projectile struck the tanker.
“The Company Security Officer reported a tanker has been struck by unknown projectile causing a fire to the vessel on the main deck," UKMTO said.
All crew members were accounted for and no environmental impact was reported following the incident, the agency said. It advised other vessels operating in the area to remain cautious and report any suspicious activity.
Red Sea shipping faces fresh attack
The latest incident adds to a series of attacks involving commercial vessels in and around the Red Sea in recent weeks.
On August 17, an unmanned cargo vessel was hit by multiple unknown projectiles around 40 nautical miles southeast of Al Mukha in Yemen's southern Red Sea region. The vessel was later declared a constructive total loss.
Another attack was reported on August 11 in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The Egyptian-owned cargo ship Tihamah was attacked in the strait, leaving four crew members dead and others injured. Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi forces claimed responsibility for that incident, saying the vessel was carrying Saudi military equipment.
The latest tanker strike comes against the backdrop of continuing security concerns for commercial shipping in the region. UKMTO has urged vessels operating around the affected waters to exercise caution as authorities assess the latest incident.