UKMTO says 11 ships attacked in week to 4 Nov in Hormuz, Arabian Gulf

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported 11 attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Arabian Gulf in the seven days to November 4, including incidents that left three vessels sunk. Eight attacks occurred in the Strait of Hormuz and three in the Arabian Gulf, according to UKMTO's weekly overview. Of the 11 incidents, three vessels continued their voyages, five required assistance and three sank. The report said one dhow was struck by an unidentified projectile on 2 November, killing one crew member, while 13 others were rescued by local authorities. A Panama-flagged supply vessel was also struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on 1 November and reportedly sank after a nearby merchant vessel rescued its crew. A Marshall Islands-flagged tanker was struck by two unidentified projectiles in the Arabian Gulf on 4 November, leaving it drifting and requiring assistance from local authorities. Combined Strait of Hormuz traffic reached 325 transits in the seven-day reporting period, comprising 170 outbound and 155 inbound movements, compared with 277 in the previous week. UKMTO said traffic remained approximately 65 percent below pre-conflict levels. Automatic Identification System-observed transits increased to 71 from 64 the previous week, while US-reported facilitated transits remained broadly stable. Around 80 percent of Strait of Hormuz transits continued to involve energy carriers. UKMTO also reported an increase in vessels using the southern route, although most ships broadcasting AIS continued to use the Iranian route. In the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, no attacks on shipping were reported during the week. The last reported attack was on August 24, 65 days earlier. However, Bab el-Mandeb transits remained 24 percent below levels recorded before the Houthi blockade announcement on July 22.