Brief
Nearly 500 vessels face delays after LPG tanker hit near Oman
The Joint Maritime Information Center warned of heightened risk after an October 22 projectile strike on an LPG tanker, leaving hundreds of ships anchored.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Maritime security officials said an LPG tanker was hit by an unknown projectile on Oct 22 while exiting the Strait of Hormuz, about seven nautical miles northeast of Limah, Oman. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) classified the threat level in the strait as severe and warned that further attacks were highly likely.
What happened
The incident occurred on Oct 22, when the tanker was struck and continued without casualties or reported environmental impact, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). JMIC’s advisory covering Mar 1–Oct 25 noted a separate attack west of Bukha on Oct 21 and highlighted ongoing Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) activity, including drone overflights and radio hailing of merchant vessels.
What the reports add
JMIC reported that only 101 US‑facilitated transits passed through the strait between Oct 22 and Oct 24, far below the historical baseline of roughly 138 daily transits. The advisory listed vessel counts anchored at key ports: about 194 near Fujairah and Khor Fakkan, 178 off Dubai, 55 near Musandam and Sohar, 32 off Bandar Abbas and Qeshm, and roughly 492 vessels waiting outside the strait, with visible AIS traffic in single‑digit numbers.
What was said
JMIC warned that vessels keeping AIS on while stationary could face elevated targeting risks and might receive instructions to divert toward Iran‑controlled northern routes. The centre also cautioned mariners about possible mining activity in the traffic separation scheme.
How it came about
The latest advisory follows a series of attacks on commercial shipping in the region, including earlier projectile strikes on oil tankers reported in early October and Iran’s claim of a supertanker hitting a mine on Oct 11. Felo’s previous coverage linked these incidents to broader tensions, such as India’s condemnation of drone and projectile attacks on Oct 11 and the rescue of Indian crew after a projectile hit on Oct 3.
Key facts
- An LPG tanker was struck by an unknown projectile on Oct 22 near Limah, Oman. (gulfnews.com)
- JMIC classified the Strait of Hormuz threat level as severe and warned of further attacks. (gulfnews.com)
- Around 492 vessels were waiting outside the strait as of Oct 25, with only single‑digit AIS transits visible. (gulfnews.com)
- Only 101 US‑facilitated transits occurred between Oct 22‑24, well below the baseline of 138 per day. (gulfnews.com)
- JMIC cautioned that stationary vessels with AIS on could face higher targeting risk. (gulfnews.com)
Timeline
- 2026-10-21 — Separate attack reported west of Bukha.
- 2026-10-22 — LPG tanker struck near Limah, Oman.
- 2026-10-25 — JMIC advisory estimates nearly 500 vessels waiting outside the strait.
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Strait of Hormuz Crisis: Nearly 500 Vessels Delayed Amid Tanker Attack and Rising Maritime Threats”
