Mar 19 β€’ 01:10 UTC πŸ‡ΆπŸ‡¦ Qatar Al Jazeera

'Projectile' targets a ship off the coasts of the UAE, leading to a fire on board

A ship near the strategic Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire on board and the evacuation of its crew.

On Thursday, British Marine Trade Operations reported that a ship sailing near the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unknown projectile. This incident occurred near Khor Fakkan, part of the Emirate of Sharjah, a key global passage for large oil tankers. The ship reportedly caught fire as a result of the strike, complicating an already tense maritime environment in the region.

This incident follows closely on the heels of another maritime accident involving two vessels, one being the oil tanker 'Adalin,' which collided in the same vicinity just 48 hours prior. The presence of multiple incidents in such a short timeframe raises serious concerns about safety and security in a vital chokepoint for international oil shipments, highlighting the risks that may affect global oil supply chains.

UAE authorities confirmed that the coast guard successfully evacuated the ship's 24-member crew and transported them to Khor Fakkan port. However, they did not provide additional details regarding the second vessel involved or its condition. The increasing number of maritime incidents in the area adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz has placed heightened security concerns on international shipping routes and energy infrastructure, suggesting ongoing vulnerabilities in a critical geo-economic area of the world.

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