Tanker catches fire after projectile strike off Saudi Arabia

A tanker caught fire after an unknown projectile struck the vessel about 63 nautical miles west of Yanbu on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on Monday, August 24.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in a post on X that it had received a report of an incident involving a tanker in the area. The vessel was struck on its main deck, causing a fire, according to the report provided by the company security officer.

All crew members were safe and accounted for, while no environmental impact was reported.

UKMTO classified the incident as an attack and advised vessels operating in the area to proceed with caution and report any suspicious activity. The warning did not identify the tanker or provide details about the projectile.

Yanbu emerges as key Saudi oil export route

The incident occurred near Yanbu, a major Saudi oil-export hub on the Red Sea. The port has gained greater strategic importance as vessels seek alternatives to routes through the Strait of Hormuz amid disruptions in the waterway.

Maritime traffic along the Red Sea has also faced growing security concerns. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group has threatened Saudi-linked shipping and claimed attacks involving vessels and energy infrastructure in the region.

The group has also previously claimed attacks targeting facilities operated by Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu, including an alleged strike in July.