The Panamanian oil tanker Louise 1 was attacked 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman. This incident, interpreted as a new method of attacking commercial vessels, was carried out by a small boat that attached explosives to the hull of the tanker.
Details of the Attack
According to published information, the small boat approached the left side of the tanker and attached two explosive devices above the waterline to the ship's hull. These explosions caused a fire in the tanker’s engine room and temporarily disabled it. The fire was extinguished after a while, and the tanker continued its journey. Fortunately, all crew members are safe, and no environmental pollution has been reported.
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Change in Tactics in Attacks
This attack is clearly a sign of a change in the methods of attacking commercial vessels in the region. Until now, Iranian attacks on commercial ships have mostly included missile, drone, and small arms attacks. However, the use of explosives in this new manner has raised more serious concerns regarding maritime transport security.
Simultaneously with this incident, another maritime security event, initially reported as a fire on an oil tanker, was identified by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) as a commercial vessel incident. This ship caught fire and ultimately sank, but all crew members were safely rescued.
Statistics from the International Maritime Organization indicate that since the onset of conflicts in late February, 121 confirmed attacks on commercial vessels in the region have been recorded. Of these, 34 attacks occurred between September 28 and October 27. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 24 sailors.
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