Qatari gas carrier Al Mayeda attacked in the Persian Gulf

Attack on a gas carrier

Qatari shipping company Nakilat reported that its gas carrier Al Mayeda was attacked in the Persian Gulf. The incident, according to the statement on the company's website, occurred back on October 30: the vessel came under attack by 'unknown objects' while passing through the gulf. According to Nakilat, no crew members were harmed, and no environmental threats were recorded. The company continues to monitor the situation and is assessing the damage to the vessel.

A series of attacks in the region

The incident with Al Mayeda took place against the backdrop of increasingly frequent attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz area. On October 21, the British maritime security service UKMTO reported that an unknown projectile hit a tanker approximately 11 nautical miles (about 20 km) from the Omani town of Bukha; a fire broke out on board, which was extinguished, after which the vessel anchored. There were no reports of casualties at the time, and UKMTO advised vessels in the region to pass through the area with caution and to report any suspicious activity. It was previously reported that in just one week, more than 10 commercial ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz more than 10 commercial ships.

What is known and what remains unclear

Nakilat has not disclosed the nature of the 'unknown objects' with which Al Mayeda was attacked, and has not named possible perpetrators of the incident. The assessment of damage to the vessel is, according to the company, still ongoing, so the condition of the gas carrier has not yet been reported. A connection between this attack and other attacks on ships in the region has also not been confirmed by any available sources.