Ship attacks in Strait of Hormuz hit record high in October
USO•At least 28 confirmed and reported attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waterways were recorded in October, the highest monthly total on record. More than 30 supertankers have been damaged since the conflict began, about 3.5% of the global fleet.
1. Record attacks in October
A Washington Institute for Near East Policy researcher recorded 28 confirmed and reported attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waterways in October, the highest number on record. The tally was 113 since the conflict with Iran began on February 28.
2. Supertanker damage
The International Maritime Organization recorded 120 incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East since the conflict began. More than 30 very large crude carriers were damaged, including 11 in October; the vessels represent about 3.5% of a global fleet of more than 900. Each can carry about 2 million barrels of crude.
3. Reporting gaps
UKMTO recorded 135 incidents related to the conflict as of October 16, but said insufficient voluntary reporting by shippers made it difficult to capture the full picture. A dozen ships were attacked between October 5 and October 11, the highest weekly total since the conflict began.
