Tanker struck by multiple projectiles off Qatar's north coast amid record weekly shipping attacks

A tanker sailing off the north coast of Qatar reported being struck “by multiple projectiles,” causing an unspecified number of casualties, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said on Wednesday. (Al Jazeera)

The incident took place 58 miles (94 km) north of Madinat ash Shamal, a coastal city on Qatar’s north coast, within Qatar’s exclusive economic zone. UKMTO said authorities were investigating and did not specify the ship’s origin; vessels were advised to transit with caution. (Al Jazeera)

The Maritime Executive said it was the first reported attack on a tanker in the western half of the Gulf in weeks; an attack in the middle of the Gulf is unusual. Qatar has not commented. (Al Jazeera)

The strike comes amid an escalating campaign against shipping in the region. UKMTO said on Tuesday there had been nine attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz this month, representing half of the September total in the strait and Gulf combined. Maritime security sources quoted by Reuters said at least 12 attacks, attempted attacks or harassment incidents on oil, LNG and LPG tankers took place around the strait between 28 September and 5 October — the highest number in a single week since the US–Iran war began — including drone overflights, surveillance, and VHF-radio hailing by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. The UN’s International Maritime Organization recorded nine incidents in the same week. (Times Now)

Oil markets reacted sharply. Brent crude futures rose $1.33 to $101.53 a barrel on Thursday, while US West Texas Intermediate gained $1.11 to $89.39. (Reuters) The International Energy Agency agreed to accelerate the release of oil stocks and prioritise diesel supplies under a plan launched in March, as governments tackle record fuel prices and disruptions from the Iran war. (Reuters)

ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes said in a Thursday note that producers appear willing to take the risk of vessel damage since there is no alternative route for their oil, and that the IEA release likely consists of barrels already in the original 400-million-barrel release plan — not an additional draw. (Channel News Asia)

The US–Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February 2026; before the war the strait typically handled about 125 large commercial vessels a day and about 20% of global crude and LNG supplies, while Iran effectively closed the strait in retaliation and Washington maintains a blockade on Iranian ports. (Al Jazeera)