Explosion Reported Near Oil Tanker Off Coast of Oman

The explosion didn’t touch the crew members of that tanker, but it sent a wave of alarms ringing across international waters. For it was one of three explosions within a span of three days near the tankers of the Strait of Hormuz water, a region that has been the spotlight of global trade and warfare for months alike!

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed earlier on Monday that the explosion left a large splash and occurred near the Marshall Islands-flagged oil products tanker Velos Amber, close to the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. In a general situation, this could be dubbed down in significance, an incident on international water. But a third explosion since Saturday, occurring after weeks of mounting tensions in the region of the world's most critical energy corridor and passage is an alarming cause of concern!

Table of Contents

1. The Events Of Monday Morning
2. What Makes This An Alarming Concern
3. Brief Timeline Of Incidents In The Vicinity Of Oman
4. The Diplomatic Background Of The Incident
5. Current Advice By Maritime Authorities
6. Conclusio

The Events of Monday Morning

According to reports by the UKMTO, the explosion took place at approximately 4:37 am local time on Monday, roughly 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman by the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. The Velos Amber vessel was being tracked as it approached the strait along a US-designated shipping route along the Omani Coast before connection to its automatic tracking signal went offline. Iran’s state-run IRNA news shared a photograph said to be of the tanker’s aft section being engulfed in flames following the explosion, yet the damage as well as the photograph remain to be verified by other sources.

UKMTO also confirmed that the vessel as well as the crew aboard are safe, and no significant environmental damage was found. Omani maritime authorities have begun investigations into the incident, while no group or party have laid claims as of this moment.

What Makes This An Alarming Concern

Monday’s explosion wasn’t exactly significant as a standalone incident, but UKMTO has logged the explosion along with three separate tanker-related security incidents in the same region since Saturday:
 

1. A tanker’s engine room was damaged by an unidentified projectile roughly 11 nautical miles northeast of Lima, on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, leaving the vessel unable to maneuver under its own power. There were no casualties or pollution following the incident.

2. Soon after the first incident, a separate tanker sailing 21 nautical miles northeast of Khasak reported a large splash and explosion incident close to its vessel, without sustaining any injury or damage to the vessel.

3. On Sunday, another tanker reported an explosion roughly 20 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, currently believed to be the same incident later confirmed as involving the Velos Amber.

Shipping data of the Strait Of Hormuz compiled by Kpler reported a substantial decrease in traffic, with observable hesitance amongst shipowners following elevated risks of passing through the corridor. While Friday reported a total of 19 ships passing through the Strait, only 10 commodity vessels were found on Saturday.

Brief Timeline Of Incidents In The Vicinity Of Oman

The earlier incidents can possibly be traced as standalone incidents in the vicinity of Omar, especially since they refer to different vessels, causes and separate timeline and circumstances as well. Despite that information, the collective list of events paints an important picture, one of the shipping corridors being under continuous and unwavering strain from aging sanctioned vessels, unidentified projectile strikes and a standalone fatal attack - all at the same time!

The Diplomatic Background Of The Incident

The recent explosions continue beyond weeks of heightened regional strains involving Iran, the United States, Israel as well as the tension between the GCC countries in the gulf. Diplomatic efforts have been reported to be underway with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi confirming talks being held between Tehran and Muscat over management of the strain while the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeili Baqaei said that an understanding with oman over a revised shipping lane was imminent while also cautioning that an agreement would not mean direct and entire reopening of the strait for unrestricted traffic.

The tension, explosions, active diplomatic discussions as well as security incidents taking place at the same time is exactly what has strained the region for the past months. It’s neither a simple escalation nor a clear deescalation. It’s both - happening at the same time!

Current Advice By Maritime Authorities

UKMTO has advised all vehicles transiting through the area to exercise heightened caution and be vigilant for reporting any suspicious activity in the region to the agency immediately. Beyond these general guidelines, shipping companies continue to calculate their own assessments of risk while being cautious towards the speed and volume of transfer to the area over the past few days.

Conclusion

It’s difficult to grasp an authentic and whole story based on a single incident - not the Velos Amber, not the tanker being struck by an unidentifiable projectile nor the earlier attack that killed a crew member. However, put them together and it adds up to a shipping corridor being tormented by external forces, one that it was never meant to withstand. Diplomats in Tehran and Muscat continue to assure that they’re close to an understanding but ships continue to approach the strait with caution, unsure when the next explosion might take place.