An explosion on a tanker off Kuwait caused an oil spill, raising security concerns in the Arabian Gulf. Investigation ongoing.
Explosion on Tanker Near Kuwait Triggers Oil Spill
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported that an explosion occurred on a tanker anchored off the coast of Kuwait, resulting in an oil spill.
According to UKMTO's statement, the unnamed tanker was anchored approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Mubarak Al Kabeer Port in Kuwait on Wednesday night. The explosion, which was also witnessed by the ship's captain, occurred on the starboard side of the tanker. Immediately following the incident, it was reported that a small boat had departed the area.
It was noted that the explosion struck a cargo tank, leading to an oil spill into the sea. Authorities stated that after the explosion, the vessel began taking on water, but there was no fire and no injuries among the crew.
An investigation into how the attack was carried out is ongoing.
Suspicion of Sticky Mine
Officials believe that the presence of the small boat seen at the scene strengthens the possibility that an explosive device (sticky mine) was manually placed on the ship's hull. This method bears similarities to some attacks previously attributed to Iran.
Experts indicate that targeting a fully loaded tanker poses a serious risk to both safety and the environment, as it increases the likelihood of fire or a large-scale oil spill.
The attack occurring near the western end of the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns that the security risk could spread to a broader area of the Arabian Gulf.
Reminded of the 2019 Attacks
A similar incident occurred in June 2019 in the Gulf of Oman. At that time, two tankers were targeted by suspected sticky mine attacks.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that an explosive device found intact on the hull of one of the attacked tankers, Kokuka Courageous, resembled a mine believed to be of Iranian origin. Diving teams conducting investigations at the scene also indicated that the damage on the ship was consistent with a sticky mine explosion rather than ordnance dropped from the air.
It is also considered possible that the recent incident off Kuwait was carried out using a similar method. Authorities reported that the investigation is ongoing and that mariners have been warned to exercise caution in the area.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
