Qatari LNG Tanker Hit East of Limah, Oman. Strait of Hormuz Southern Corridor Available

STRAIT OF HORMUZ — A tanker traveling southbound was struck by an unknown projectile on its port side, causing a fire, approximately 8 nautical miles east of Limah, Oman.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations issued Warning 080-26 on Monday evening based on a report from the vessel master (ship Captain).

No casualties or environmental impact were reported from the incident, and authorities have opened an investigation.

Maritime monitoring reports have identified the vessel as the Qatari-owned liquefied natural gas tanker Al Rekayyat operated by Nakilat Shipping Qatar Limited and noted that it was using the US-backed southern corridor at the time of the attack.

Those reports state that the vessel had its Automatic Identification System switched off for 18 days prior to the incident and broadcast a mayday call after being struck.

This equipment detail distinguishes the event from the July 5 cargo vessel attack off Al Hudaydah, where no Automatic Identification System status appeared in the initial warning.

On the same day the Joint Maritime Information Center released Advisory Note 012-26, which maintained a substantial threat level for the Strait of Hormuz and confirmed that the southern transit corridor remains available for all traffic.

The advisory provides operational guidance for vessels choosing the southern route while reminding mariners of the substantial threat level and the need for standard navigation and reporting procedures.

The incident and advisory occur amid a pattern of maritime security challenges in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, including prior attacks on commercial vessels and Iranian assertions of preferred transit routes.

Projectile Strike on Al Rekayyat 8 Nautical Miles East of Limah

According to the UKMTO warning, the incident occurred 8 nautical miles east of Limah, Oman. The tanker was traveling southbound when it was hit on the port side by the projectile, which started a fire.

The warning confirms no casualties or environmental impact were reported. Authorities are investigating the event. Vessels in the area are advised to transit with caution and to report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

Maritime monitoring reports have identified the tanker as the Qatari-owned liquefied natural gas carrier Al Rekayyat operated by Nakilat Shipping Qatar Limited.

Those reports indicate the vessel was fully loaded and was transiting the southern corridor promoted in recent JMIC guidance. The 18-day Automatic Identification System silence supplies a measurable operational signature absent from the July 5 Red Sea warning.

The same reports state that the vessel had its Automatic Identification System switched off for 18 days prior and broadcast a mayday call after the strike. The reports link the incident to Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warnings against vessels using routes other than those designated by Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority.

JMIC Advisory Note 012-26 on Strait of Hormuz Transit

The Joint Maritime Information Center Advisory Note 012-26, issued July 6, states that the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains substantial. It reminds mariners that the southern route has been expanded and remains available for all traffic.

Mariners should expect very high frequency hailing from naval forces and remain aware of the mine danger area in the traditional traffic separation scheme published in JMIC Advisory 011-26.

The advisory states that mariners may transit the southern route day or night with Automatic Identification System on, radars radiating, running lights on, and normal very high frequency use in line with best management practices for maritime security.

Mariners are strongly encouraged to maintain engagement with Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping and to use established reporting and coordination procedures, although coordination with the agency is not mandatory.

Vessels are encouraged to contact US Naval Forces Central Command Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping at m-ba-navcent-ncags@us.navy.mil for information on safe transit routes. UKMTO contact details provided are watchkeepers@ukmto.org and +44 (0)2392222060.

Prior Joint Maritime Information Center updates through June documented reduced commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, recurring Global Navigation Satellite System interference, and mining threats in and near the traffic separation scheme.

Those updates noted that merchant vessels continued to report a strong multinational naval presence across the Gulf of Oman.

Mariner Procedures from Combined Advisories

Vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters on or after July 6 should follow these procedures drawn from both advisories.

• Transmit on Automatic Identification System, operate radars, and display running lights when using the southern route.

• Monitor very high frequency channels for possible hailing from naval forces.

• Engage with Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping reporting and coordination procedures when feasible, though participation is not required.

• Exercise caution in the area and immediately report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.

• Contact the US Naval Forces Central Command Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping email address for route-specific guidance.

Monitoring Priorities

Official confirmation or updates from UKMTO, Omani authorities, or coalition naval forces on the investigation into the projectile attack on the Al Rekayyat and any determination of the projectile’s origin.

• Any statements from Qatar, Nakilat Shipping Qatar Limited, or Iranian authorities regarding the incident and route compliance.

• New or updated Joint Maritime Information Center advisories that alter the substantial threat level or the status of the southern corridor.

• Additional reports of suspicious activity or incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, or Red Sea approaches.

• Observed levels of compliance by commercial vessels with the Automatic Identification System, radar, lighting, and reporting measures outlined in the advisories.

• Developments in the separate July 5 cargo vessel attack off Al Hudaydah, Yemen, including any attribution or response.

Official Statements

• Joint Maritime Information Center, JMIC Advisory Note 012-26, July 6: “The maritime security threat level in the SoH remains SUBSTANTIAL. Mariners are reminded that the southern route of the SoH has been expanded and remains available for all traffic. Mariners should expect VHF hailing from naval forces and be cognizant of the mine danger area in the traditional traffic separation scheme published in JMIC Advisory 011-26. Mariners are advised that they may transit the southern route day or night with their AIS on, radars radiating, running lights on, and normal use of VHF in accordance with best management practices for maritime security. -- Mariners are strongly encouraged to maintain engagement with NCAGS and utilize established reporting and coordination procedures. -- Coordination with NCAGS is not mandatory. Ships may transit the southern route without coordination. Action: Vessels are encouraged to communicate with NAVCENT NCAGS m-ba-navcent-ncags@us.navy.mil for information regarding safe transit routes.”

• UK Maritime Trade Operations, Warning 080-26 - ATTACK, July 6: “UKMTO has received a report of an incident 8NM east of Limah, Oman. A tanker has reported being hit by an unknown projectile on the port side causing a fire, whilst travelling southbound. No casualties or environmental impact reported. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”