Bulk Carrier Struck by Unknown Projectile in Strait of Hormuz

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued Warning 113-26 on August 15 after receiving a verified report that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile that hit the hull in the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident occurred at 8:00 PM UTC on August 14. The crew are safe. No damage assessment has been released and environmental impact remains unknown at present.

Two Tankers Struck By Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

On the same day UKMTO also issued separate warnings of two tankers struck by unmanned aerial vehicles during outbound transits, with minor damage, crews safe and no environmental impact noted.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) foreign ministry stated that two vessels affiliated with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) were attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on the evening of August 13 into August 14.

The company stated the two vessels were attacked, noted no injuries, and said the situation had been brought under control.

The UAE ministry described the attacks as a hostile Iranian action and acts of piracy by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that threaten regional stability and global energy security.

UKMTO Warnings 111-26 and 112-26 match the timing and description of UAV strikes on two tankers during outbound transit.

Maritime security reporting has identified the vessels as the Singapore-flagged Navig8 Messi (IMO 9482859) and the Liberia-flagged Tarif (IMO 9828390), both operated by ADNOC-linked entities; primary UAE and ADNOC statements state only that two affiliated vessels were attacked. Both vessels sustained minor damage and continued sailing under their own power.

Neither the Omani government nor Iranian official channels has issued a statement on Warning 113-26 as of August 15. The Omani foreign ministry has previously condemned repeated attacks on vessels in the strait and stated that such attacks violate international law and the sovereignty of territorial waters.

Iranian military statements continue to assert control over transit through the strait and to require permission for safe passage.

ADNOC stated on August 7 that 15 of its vessels have been attacked by missiles and drones since the conflict began, including three that week, resulting in one fatality and 20 crew injuries.

The August 13-14 strikes on the two company-affiliated vessels form a continuation of that targeting pattern against company-linked traffic.

Saudi Arabia and Kuwait issued statements condemning the attacks on the two UAE oil tankers; those condemnations address the ADNOC vessels only and do not reference Warning 113-26.

Locations Affected

• Strait of Hormuz, vicinity of Kumzar, Oman (approximate location according to UKMTO map reference; exact coordinates not released).

Recent Pattern of Strikes

UKMTO records show three verified attacks in the strait on August 14:

• Bulk carrier struck by unknown projectile that hit the hull (Warning 113-26); crew safe, no damage assessment or environmental impact released.

• Two tankers struck by unmanned aerial vehicles on outbound transit (Warnings 111-26 and 112-26); minor damage, crews safe, no environmental impact.

Operational Snapshot

Commercial traffic through the strait continues at reduced levels relative to pre-crisis baselines. Operators have shifted toward routes closer to the Omani coast or the northern corridor according to successive UKMTO and JMIC overviews.

AIS dark periods and temporary routing adjustments remain common. No official body has reported a complete closure of the waterway on August 14–15.

JMIC products have recorded supported transits since the earlier memorandum period, yet daily counts remain a fraction of historical averages.

Official Statements

• UKMTO Warning 113-26, August 15: “UKMTO has received a verified report of a Bulk carrier being struck by an unknown projectile which has hit the hull. The crew are reported safe, no damage assessment has been reported and environmental impact is unknown at present.”