Tanker hit off Saudi’s Gulf coast, crew evacuated

A tanker was hit by an unknown projectile off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Gulf, prompting the evacuation of its crew, according to a maritime monitoring agency. The incident occurred on Friday, 68 nautical miles from the Jubail coast. All crew members are reported to be safe. The vessel, identified as the Safeen Principal, a crude oil tanker flagged under the Marshall Islands, lost power and experienced an engine-room fire.

Another maritime security agency, Vanguard, reported these details. On the same day, another ship in the vicinity was targeted by a rocket-propelled grenade, but the crew emerged unharmed. Prior to the ongoing conflict, approximately one-fifth of global oil exports traversed the Strait of Hormuz. The war, initiated by US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has led to a surge in oil prices.