October 2023, with 28 attacks on oil tankers and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, is considered the worst month for maritime security since the onset of the war. Data collected by a think tank based in Washington indicates that since the beginning of the conflict between the United States and Israel with Iran on February 28, 113 attacks on maritime vessels in this region have been recorded.
Increase in Attacks on Oil Tankers
The interactive map of maritime incidents from this institute shows that most attacks in September and October occurred against commercial vessels in the Middle East, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. Statistics also indicate that the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has recorded 120 related incidents in this region since the start of the conflict.
Investigations indicate that more than 30 very large crude carriers (VLCCs) have been damaged in these attacks, with 11 of them occurring in October. Each VLCC has a carrying capacity of approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil, and the damaged vessels recorded in the IMO list account for nearly 3.5% of the total global VLCC fleet.
Factors Contributing to the Increase in Attacks
Despite the increase in attacks, shipowners' willingness to load cargo in the Persian Gulf has risen, resulting in more oil tankers being targeted. Freight rates have reached over one million dollars per day, and regional producers have offered greater discounts compared to dated Brent oil. The combination of high freight rates and regional oil discounts has strengthened owners' incentives to enter the Persian Gulf.
The Greek consulting firm Marisec has announced that October 2023 has recorded the most severe period of maritime attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz since tensions escalated in March. Between October 5 and 11, 12 vessels were targeted, marking the highest number of attacks since the beginning of the conflict.
The British Maritime Security Service recorded 135 incidents related to the Iran-U.S. conflicts by October 16, indicating a critical maritime security situation in this region. The increase in attacks on oil tankers and commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz poses a serious alarm for shipping and global trade security.
