A Kuwaiti crude oil tanker, the Al Salmi, was struck on 30 March by what Kuwait Petroleum Corporation described as an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai Port.
As reported by Reuters, the strike damaged the vessel’s hull and caused a fire, raising concerns about a possible oil spill. Authorities in Dubai said the blaze, caused by a drone attack, was successfully extinguished, and all 24 crew members were unharmed.
The incident follows a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since February 28, when the United States and Israel carried out strikes on Iran.
The Al Salmi was carrying about 2 million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia and was headed to Qingdao, China. Officials are continuing to assess the damage and any environmental impact.
Oil markets reacted quickly, with Brent crude rising over 2 percent to about $115 per barrel in early trading, contributing to a sharp increase in prices during March, Reuters reports.
In a separate event on 30 March, a container ship near Saudi Arabia reported two projectiles landing in the water nearby, but the crew was safe. No group has claimed responsibility for either incident.
