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A container ship off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was struck by an "unknown projectile" that caused a small fire onboard early Thursday, the UK's Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The incident marks the sixth attack in two days on vessels operating in the Persian Gulf as Iran has ramped up its strikes on oil tankers, cargo ships and energy supplies in the region.
The attack occurred 35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, a major port city near Dubai.
"A full damage assessment was 'impaired by darkness,' but all crew were safe," the UKMTO stated.
The captain of the container ship reported that the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile, causing a small fire on board. The fire was limited and was brought under control, according to the UKMTO. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far, and the nature of the projectile and the party responsible for the attack remain unclear.
The attack comes as rising security tensions have escalated in regional maritime routes, particularly in the Arabian Gulf and waters near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most vital corridors for global oil shipments and international trade.
Overnight, two foreign oil tankers were left ablaze in Iraqi waters after an Iranian attack.
At least one person was killed, and 38 crew members were rescued from the vessels. A Thai bulk carrier also caught fire, and its crew was evacuated after being attacked in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday. Two other vessels also reported being struck the same day.
Three crew members were "believed to be trapped" aboard a Thai bulk carrier that was hit by two projectiles on Wednesday while traveling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the vessel's owner said.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Wednesday they had struck the Thai-registered Mayuree Naree, as well as a Liberia-flagged vessel, in the strait because the ships had ignored "warnings".
The Thai ship was struck on Wednesday morning while transiting through the Gulf waterway after departing Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates.
"The strikes damaged the vessel's engine room and caused a fire," Thai transport company Precious Shipping said in a statement Wednesday evening.
"Three crew members are reported missing and believed to be trapped in the engine room," it said, adding that authorities were working to rescue them. The Omani navy had rescued 20 sailors, and efforts were underway to rescue the remaining three, the Thai navy said Wednesday.
Iraq's oil terminals suspended operations following the attacks on vessels off the coast.
In Oman, the critical oil export terminal at Mina Al Fahal was evacuated as a precautionary measure. Vessels were directed to leave the port, according to port agents cited by Bloomberg.
Around 1 million barrels a day of Omani oil are exported from Mina Al Fahal, according to data intelligence firm Kpler.
"If disruptions to Omani oil exports turn out to be more persistent, fears over broader regional supply will grow," said Warren Patterson, who spoke to Bloomberg, head of commodities strategy at ING Groep NV in Singapore.
"The market will have to start worrying about more than just Strait of Hormuz oil flows," he added.
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Observers warn that targeting commercial vessels in the area could heighten concerns among shipping and maritime insurance companies, potentially affecting navigation in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors.
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