A maritime tracker has reported a new attack on a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over threats to global energy supplies
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had a report of a projectile hitting a vessel as it moved through the strait.
The crew were evacuated by local authorities after a fire broke out following the attack, the agency said on Sunday.
UKMTO’s report came the day after Saudi Arabia said it had temporarily closed its East-West pipeline as a precaution after a drone attack that both Baghdad and Riyadh said had originated in Iraq, where Iranian-backed militias operate.
Ongoing attacks in the widening Middle East war could send energy prices even higher after a week that saw the cost of Brent crude surge back above $100 a barrel.
READ ALSO: Strait of Hormuz to Stay Closed – Iran
The 1,200-km (745-mile) East-West pipeline running across the Arabian Peninsula has served as the main route out for global supplies of Middle East oil for the past six months while the Strait of Hormuz has been largely shut by war.
It has been moving 4 million to 5 million barrels per day, amounting to 4% to 5% of global supply, sparing Saudi Arabia the brunt of the disruption that has crippled other Gulf oil and gas exporters.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the strikes on the pipeline. Satellite images showed black smoke rising from an area of the pipeline south of Medina.
The attack resulted in some injuries and damage that was being assessed, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said without detailing the impact on exports.
Reuters
