The alarm sounds again in the Strait of Hormuz: Two UAE oil tankers attacked, one crew member killed!

UAE oil tankers attacked, Hormuz Strait shipping security situation suddenly escalates. According to Xinhua News Agency, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company confirmed on the 14th that the "Mombasa" and "Bahia" tankers were hit by projectiles while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on that day.

According to Bloomberg, the UAE Ministry of Defense confirmed the two tankers were attacked by Iranian cruise missiles while crossing the Strait of Hormuz. ADNOC Logistics & Shipping, a logistics subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, later confirmed that two of its operated tankers were hit by ammunition, both severely damaged, resulting in one crew member killed and several injured.

This is the first major attack on commercial oil tankers since the US-Iran temporary ceasefire agreement essentially fell apart, and it marks the most severe recent escalation in the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE Ministry of Defense stated on social media platform X that the UAE reserves the right to respond fully to this attack and will take all necessary measures to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and stability.

Attack targets key Hormuz Strait transport capacity

The two tankers attacked this time carry strong symbolic significance. According to reports, "Mombasa" is owned by South Korean shipowner Sinokor Group and chartered under a time charter by the company. Sinokor has long undertaken UAE crude oil export shipping duties and is a major transporter of non-Iranian crude oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, UAE crude oil exports remain at a high level. International Energy Agency (IEA) data shows that UAE's oil output in June hit a historic high; OPEC submission data also shows last month's production surged month-on-month by about 80%.

Reports state, this attack is at least the second time since the US-Iran temporary ceasefire agreement was signed that Sinokor vessels have been targeted in the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that security risks for commercial oil tankers are continually rising.

Ceasefire agreement lapses, "dark ship" delivery model under pressure

In fact, even while the ceasefire agreement was still in effect, shipping risks in the Strait of Hormuz had already significantly increased.

Reports indicate that, to reduce attack risks, millions of barrels of UAE crude oil per day passing through the Strait of Hormuz are now commonly transported in "dark ship" mode with Automatic Identification System (AIS) shut off, thereby lowering the chance of being tracked and locked on. As the US-Iran temporary ceasefire agreement rapidly collapses in recent days, the associated risks of this practice have further intensified.

This attack not only caused crew casualties and severe vessel damage, but also brings market attention to two key issues: whether the UAE can maintain its current high level of crude oil exports, and whether shipowners and shipping companies might reduce capacity in the Strait of Hormuz due to increased security risks.

The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global seaborne crude oil trade and is one of the world's most important energy transport routes. If attacks on commercial shipping continue to escalate, not only will this drive up shipping insurance and transportation costs, but it may also disrupt global crude oil supply expectations and further exacerbate international oil price volatility. As of press time, Brent crude oil is up nearly 5% to $87.36/barrel.

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