In brief
A tanker traveling east of Khasab, Oman, experienced an explosion on its port‑side waterline on Thursday night, but the crew were unharmed and the ship kept moving on its own power. Investigations are underway and UK maritime authorities urge vessels to remain vigilant.
A tanker transiting out of the Strait of Hormuz reported an explosion at its port‑side waterline late Thursday night, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) on Friday.
The vessel, which was proceeding in the 22:00 GMT hours, continued under its own power after the incident and the crew were later confirmed to be safe.
UKMTO said the tanker was located about 16 nautical miles, or roughly 30 kilometres, east of Khasab on Oman’s Musandam Peninsula, the southern side of the strait.
The port‑side waterline was where the blast was felt, but the agency did not immediately specify the size of the damage or the cause of the explosion.
In a delayed report received from the vessel’s master, the UKMTO described the ship as remaining under its own power and continuing its voyage.
"All crew members were safe and accounted for, and the tanker remained under its own power and was continuing its voyage," the UKMTO said.
Investigations into the incident have been launched by authorities, who stressed that the cause was uncertain at the time of the advisory.
UKMTO cautioned other vessels transiting the area to proceed with vigilance and to report any suspicious activity they encounter.
The incident comes amid a period of heightened attention to shipping safety in the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime corridor through which millions of barrels of petroleum pass every day.
No casualties were reported and the tanker did not request assistance, according to the UKMTO's brief.
Sea‑traffic advisers also noted that the vessel achieved enough stability to maintain its course despite the explosion, indicating that the damage was not immediately disabling.
As the tanker continued on its route, official channels remain attentive to potential further developments or additional information from the ship’s crew.
Current updates are expected as investigations progress and more details are released by UK maritime authorities.
