Ship attack reports near Hormuz reach record high as oil exports slow

Reports of ships attacked near the Strait of Hormuz have reached a record high, according to analysis of UK Maritime Trade Operations data. Twelve vessels were targeted between October 5 and 11, the highest weekly strike count since the US-Israeli conflict with Iran began. Six attacks occurred on a single day - Sunday. The previous week saw ten attacks. Six of the vessels were hit last Sunday alone, a one-day record. So far this week, four attacks have been reported.

The rising number of attacks has slowed the recovery in oil shipments through the strait, according to industry data. Experts suggest Iran is attempting to assert greater control over the waterway, as US forces have increased the number of tankers escorted through the south of the strait to avoid Iranian strikes.

One of the reported attacks on Sunday was captured on verified footage, showing a tanker on fire near Sohar Anchorage in Oman, more than 150 miles from the strait. Eleven Indian seafarers were rescued, but two are still missing. Another tanker, the GFS Pride, sank after an unknown projectile strike on Tuesday, with 21 crew evacuated safely.

The number of oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz has declined as attacks have increased. On October 13, about 12.6 million barrels per day passed through the strait, below the 15 million reported at the end of September. This compares to a pre-war baseline of around 17 million barrels per day.