Two commercial vessels were struck in separate attacks across the Arabian Gulf on November 1, widening the immediate maritime-security threat beyond the Strait of Hormuz. At 23:47 UTC, a tanker sailing southeast approximately 72 nautical miles east of Saudi Arabia's Ras Al Khafji was hit by two unidentified projectiles, with all crew accounted for and no pollution reported, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations. Earlier, at approximately 15:09 UTC, another vessel was struck in the Strait of Hormuz after a Mayday call was relayed by a passing merchant ship. Security firm Vanguard Tech identified that vessel as the Panama-flagged offshore tug SELAT STORM and reported it partially sinking, with the crew's condition unconfirmed. Additional reports identify the northern Gulf tanker as LARGO ATOM, but the vessel's identity and reported loss of propulsion remain unconfirmed by UKMTO. The incidents follow an October 30 strike on a Qatari LNG carrier and renewed, independently unverified Iranian claims of tanker mine explosions.
ShipUniverse | Maritime Security Incident Board
Two Attacks Across the Gulf in Less Than Nine Hours
One reported tanker strike in the northern Arabian Gulf. One offshore vessel Mayday in the Strait of Hormuz. Different locations, different casualty information, and important unanswered questions.
2Separate incidents reported November 1
72 NMTanker strike east of Ras Al Khafji
2Projectiles reported hitting tanker
8h 38mTime between reported incidents
The incident locations
Incident A | Upper Arabian Gulf
Tanker Struck Near Saudi Arabia
72 nautical miles east of Ras Al Khafji
Outside the Strait of Hormuz
23:47 UTCNovember 1, 2026
SourceUKMTO Warning 192-26
Reported hitTwo unknown projectiles, port side
IdentityLARGO ATOM, according to Vanguard Tech; not named by UKMTO
CrewAll accounted for
PollutionNone reported at initial assessment
PropulsionLoss of power alleged by Vanguard; not officially confirmed
Incident B | Strait of Hormuz
Offshore Tug Reports Mayday
Strait of Hormuz, northwest of Musandam area
Exact incident coordinates not publicly established
15:09 UTCNovember 1, 2026
SourceUKMTO Warning 191-26; MSCIO Alert 164/26
Reported hitOne unidentified projectile
IdentitySELAT STORM, identified by Vanguard Tech
VesselPanama-flagged offshore tug, approximately 1,300 DWT
DamagePartially sinking, according to security reporting
CrewCondition not confirmed in initial reporting
Sequence of the two attacks
15:09 UTCStrait of Hormuz projectile strike reported through a relayed Mayday call.
23:47 UTCTanker master reports two projectiles striking the vessel in the northern Gulf.
November 2UKMTO Warning 192-26 published; investigations and identity verification remain ongoing.
Geographical distinction: The attacks occurred in separate parts of the Gulf maritime network. The broad geographical descriptions above are not exact-position plots or navigational guidance. The responsible parties and weapon types have not been officially established for either incident.
Sources: UKMTO Warnings 191-26 and 192-26; MSCIO Alert 164/26; Vanguard Tech reporting via Seatrade Maritime and The Maritime Executive. Status as reported November 1–2, 2026.
ShipUniverse | Regional Maritime Intelligence
Five Reports. Very Different Levels of Evidence.
The verified picture must distinguish actual reported attacks from unconfirmed vessel identities, damage assessments and competing claims.
Strait of Hormuz
Projectile attacks and Mayday reports create direct concerns for vessels crossing the waterway and for support craft operating nearby.
Northern Arabian Gulf
The November 1 tanker incident demonstrates reported exposure near Saudi waters beyond the strait itself.
Broader Gulf network
Energy carriers and offshore service vessels face disruptions at different points in their operating cycles.
The incident evidence ledger
OFFICIAL / OPERATOR Direct public reportSECURITY REPORT Attributed private-source detailUNVERIFIED Claim not independently established
Date and area
Vessel / incident
Established information
Reported or unresolved detail
Evidence classification
November 1Northern Arabian Gulf
LARGO ATOMProposed identity of unnamed tanker
UKMTO reports two projectiles struck the port side. All crew accounted for; no pollution reported initially.
Vanguard Tech identified the tanker and reported two UAV strikes with complete loss of power. Identity and machinery status not confirmed by UKMTO.
ATTACK REPORTED IDENTITY ATTRIBUTED
November 1Strait of Hormuz
SELAT STORMOffshore tug / supply vessel
UKMTO and MSCIO record a relayed Mayday for a vessel struck by an unidentified projectile. Crew status unknown.
Vanguard identified the Panama-flagged tug and reported it partially sinking. Final condition and rescue outcome unconfirmed.
MAYDAY RECORDED DAMAGE ATTRIBUTED
October 30Arabian Gulf
AL MAYEDAQatari LNG carrier
Operator Nakilat confirms the ship was hit by unidentified objects. No crew injuries or pollution; vessel described as safe and operational.
Extent of damage under assessment. Weapon type and attacker not established in the operator statement.
OPERATOR CONFIRMED
October 18Gulf of Oman
JIF BARRACUDADutch-flagged tug
Official reports describe a tug hit by two projectiles, one minor crew injury and continuation of its voyage.
Vessel name attributed by maritime security reporting. Exact nature of its commercial assignment not established.
ATTACK REPORTED IDENTITY ATTRIBUTED
November 1Strait of Hormuz
IRGC mine claimsTwo tankers alleged
Reuters reports that Iranian state media carried the IRGC Navy's statement claiming tanker explosions after mine strikes.
Vessel identities, damage, event locations and whether the claims overlap other alerts are not independently established.
CLAIM ONLY
Three operational consequences
01 / FLEET DEPLOYMENTRouting flexibility narrows
Exposure is not confined to the narrow Hormuz transit. Gulf-bound positioning, loading approaches and regional passages also require assessment.
War-risk insurance, delay, changed orders and off-hire rights depend on actual policies, charter clauses and vessel circumstances.
Publication safeguard: The five rows above are not five confirmed vessel casualties. One concerns Iranian claims that have not been independently corroborated, while several vessel names and damage particulars derive from attributed security reporting.
Sources: UKMTO 191-26 and 192-26; MSCIO 164/26; Nakilat October 30 announcement; Seatrade Maritime; The Maritime Executive; Reuters November 1. Evidence categories refer to the stated fact in each entry, not official certification of every allegation.
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