Full Breakdown
Attack on Panamanian-Flagged Oil Tanker Highlights Growing Threats in the Strait of Hormuz
By Drooid · · How we work
The Attack on the On Peace Tanker
On Tuesday, the Panamanian-flagged oil tanker On Peace was struck by a projectile 9 nautical miles (?17 km) off the Omani port city of Limah. The impact ignited a fire on board. The Omani Ministry of Defence reported that Oman’s air force evacuated ten crew members to Khasab hospital in Musandam governorate for medical treatment. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Background and Regional Tensions
The incident occurs amid deteriorating security in the Strait of Hormuz following the United States-Israel war on Iran, which began on February 28 when Iran effectively closed the waterway. Iran has repeatedly targeted commercial vessels that avoid its designated routes and has announced plans to charge ships for passage. Earlier attacks, including a September cargo-ship strike that killed an Indian sailor, have heightened regional concerns.
Official Statements and Responses
India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that 12 of the 19 crew members were injured, including 11 Indian nationals, and reiterated a call for an immediate cessation of such attacks to preserve peace and stability. The Omani Ministry of Defence’s statement on X emphasized the prompt evacuation and medical care provided to the injured crew. The Indian government previously noted in July that at least ten Indian seafarers had been killed since the war’s onset.
Data and Statistics
- Crew composition: 19 members, 17 Indian nationals.
- Injuries: 12 crew injured; 11 Indians.
- Evacuations: 10 crew members airlifted to hospital.
- Recent maritime incidents: Marisks reported at least seven tanker attacks in the past week.
- Oil flow: Kpler data show the seven-day moving average of Middle East crude exports reached 18.3 million barrels per day on September 30, up from roughly 18 million bpd in the preceding year.
- Brent crude futures were trading around $101 per barrel.
Implications for Shipping and Oil Markets
India, a major supplier of merchant-marine personnel, expressed deep concern over the continued targeting of vessels, underscoring the risk to its seafarers and global trade routes. Despite the surge in attacks, Middle-East oil exports have rebounded to pre-war levels, yet elevated Brent prices reflect lingering market anxiety. The attack on the On Peace underscores the fragile security environment in the Strait of Hormuz and its potential to disrupt both human safety and energy supplies.