A Qatari liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz recently, escalating concerns over maritime security despite a recent U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at reducing attacks in the strategic waterway.
The LNG vessel, owned by Qatar’s state-run shipping company Nakilat, was reportedly hit while exiting the Strait, forcing its crew to abandon the ship.
A Saudi crude oil tanker also sustained damage in a separate incident, while a third attack was reported by a UK maritime security agency.
The incidents prompted a rise in global energy prices, with crude oil gaining up to 3% and European natural gas futures climbing as much as 6%. Shipping companies are reassessing transit risks through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and LNG exports.
The attacks underscore continuing uncertainty over maritime security in the Gulf, even as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilize the region and restore normal shipping operations.
