Oman: Tanker reports explosion while crossing Strait of Hormuz
An explosion was reported on a tanker sailing through the Strait of Hormuz near Oman, raising fresh concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the strategic waterway. All crew members were safe, and the vessel continued its voyage.
In a warning posted on X on Friday, November 6, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it had received a delayed report of the incident, which occurred at 2200 UTC on November 5, approximately 16 nautical miles east of Khasab, Oman.
The master of the tanker reported an explosion at the waterline on the port side while the vessel was travelling outbound through the Strait of Hormuz.
UKMTO WARNING 197-26
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) November 6, 2026
Click here to view the full warning⤵️https://t.co/aBIdf04F1H#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/1gIG2Bx8UZ
Despite the incident, the tanker remained under its own power and continued its voyage. UKMTO did not disclose the cause of the explosion or the extent of damage to the vessel.
The agency advised vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity while authorities investigate the incident.
The incident came amid increased attacks, attempted attacks and surveillance of commercial vessels around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC), in its Update 111 Advisory Note dated November 5, reported four attacks in the Strait of Hormuz over a 96-hour period, compared with three in the preceding reporting period.
All four incidents occurred within approximately 52 hours, between November 1 and 3, off Oman’s Musandam coast.
Update 111 JMIC Advisory Note 5th Nov 2026
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO) November 5, 2026
Distributed by UKMTO on behalf of the Joint Maritime Information Centre
Click here to view the full product⤵️https://t.co/70ZmQxehTp#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/4PwxDukfwL
The assessment said activity by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) included attacks, attempted attacks and harassment of merchant vessels through unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) overflights, targeted surveillance and occasional radio calls over very high frequency (VHF) channels.
Commercial vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz remained substantially below pre-conflict levels, according to the JMIC assessment.
Independent tracking data showed only single-digit to low-double-digit daily transits, reflecting continued caution among shipping operators amid security threats.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, normally carrying around one-fifth of global oil consumption.
Since the war involving Iran began in late February, Tehran has severely restricted maritime traffic through the strategic waterway, raising concerns over the safety of commercial vessels and the stability of global energy markets.
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