UKMTO Reports Vessel on Fire Southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, After Tanker Struck and Disabled in Strait of Hormuz
PERSIAN GULF — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) received multiple third-party reports on October 26 of a vessel on fire 63 nautical miles southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, with crew status, damage assessment, and environmental impact unknown at the time of the report.
In a separate verified time-late report issued the same day, UKMTO stated that a tanker transiting outbound in the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile at 8:39 AM UTC on October 23, disabling the vessel.
The crew were reported safe, and no damage assessment or environmental impact report was available at the time.
UKMTO advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities investigate both incidents. The October 26 report lists the source as third party and the incident time as to be confirmed. The October 23 report lists the source as verified.
Location
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The October 26 incident is reported 63 nautical miles (72 miles, 116 km) southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq, in the northern Persian Gulf near the approaches to the Shatt al-Arab.
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Approximate position 29.2 N, 49.3 E, derived from the stated distance and bearing from Al-Faw (approximately 29.97 N, 48.47 E) because exact coordinates were not released.
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The October 23 incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz during an outbound transit, with no more precise position released.
Official Statements
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United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Warning 183-26, October 26: “UKMTO has received multiple third-party reports of a vessel on fire, 63NM southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq. Crew status, damage assessment, and environmental impact are unknown at time of report. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, whilst authorities investigate.”
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United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Warning 182-26, October 26: “UKMTO has received a verified time-late report of an incident in the Strait of Hormuz. A tanker transiting outbound was struck by an unknown projectile, disabling the vessel. The crew have been reported safe. There is no damage assessment or environmental impact report at present. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO, whilst authorities investigate.”
