Two Oil Tankers Struck by Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Two oil tankers were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz overnight Sunday. The Liberia-flagged supertanker Acheloos and the Malta-flagged fuel tanker Kavomaleas sustained damage in the waterway. Ship manager Dynacom Tankers Management said the Kavomaleas was hit by two separate projectiles.

All crew members on both vessels are safe and accounted for. The Acheloos proceeded to anchorage for assessments. The Kavomaleas was evacuated after a fire broke out in its engine room. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the strikes on the Kavomaleas early Monday and noted the resulting fire off the Omani coast.

American forces carried out a ninth straight night of attacks on Iranian targets on Sunday. Iran launched strikes on U.S. military targets in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait over the weekend. Thirty vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz from Friday to Sunday.

MarineTraffic data showed 10 sailings on July 17, 12 on July 18, and eight on July 19. Yemen’s Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia effective immediately in a televised speech on Monday. The group stated it was imposing a maritime embargo based on an “eye for an eye” equation and would close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Saudi ships.

The Houthis had already banned Israeli shipping through the Red Sea earlier in the Iran war but have not attacked any ships in that waterway since the conflict began. -flagged Maersk Denver departed Oman’s Port of Salalah on Sunday and is expected to arrive at the Suez Canal by Thursday.