By Desmond Nleya
DUBAI-A second vessel operated by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was attacked while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening, August 14, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
ADNOC confirmed the incident but said the situation had been brought under control. No injuries were reported. The company urged the public to rely on official sources and avoid spreading unverified information.
The latest attack came just one day after two ADNOC-affiliated vessels were targeted while passing through the strait on August 13. Those incidents also resulted in no reported injuries.
The attacks have occurred amid heightened tensions in the region and a sharp decline in commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) separately reported that a tanker was struck by an uncrewed aerial vehicle while travelling out of the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel suffered minor damage, while its crew were safe and no environmental impact was reported.
UKMTO has advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.
ADNOC said it remains committed to the safety of seafarers and supports freedom of navigation and maritime security in the region.
The UAE has strongly condemned the attacks on ADNOC-affiliated vessels, warning that attacks on commercial shipping threaten regional stability and global energy security. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt have also condemned the incidents.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains severely disrupted. According to UKMTO, only 151 vessels entered or exited the waterway during the previous seven days, equivalent to about 17 percent of the pre-conflict average.
UKMTO has recorded dozens of reports of vessel damage in and around the strait since the conflict began.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to enforce a naval blockade of Iranian ports. US Central Command said that by August 14 its forces had redirected 62 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two vessels as part of the operation.
US President Donald Trump has also said he intends to declare the Strait of Hormuz US territory after defeating Iran, a proposal strongly rejected by Tehran.
With shipping traffic remaining at historically low levels and further attacks being reported, the security of the Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern for the UAE, global energy markets and international shipping.
