On 27 August 2026, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued Warning 121-26 after local authorities reported that a tanker had been hit by an unknown projectile near Khasab, Oman, while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) identified the vessel as the Kuwaiti tanker Al Salam II, struck at about 1730 UTC on 25 August during an eastbound transit.
The projectile hit just above the waterline, opening a small hole and starting a fire that the crew extinguished. All seafarers were reported safe, with no reported pollution. Tug assistance was expected, and the tanker later anchored about 0.8 nm northwest of Jazirat Tawakkul. The warning landed as operators weighed corridor diplomacy against continued projectile risk on the southern Hormuz approaches.
What Operators Should Note
- Treat southern Hormuz near Khasab as high kinetic risk even when diplomatic corridor talks advance.
- Maintain fire and hull-breach drills for above-waterline projectile strikes.
- Report suspicious activity promptly to UKMTO and keep BMP/passage plans current.
- Confirm tug and emergency response options before committing to eastbound TSS legs.
Regulas Shipping will continue tracking UKMTO/JMIC warnings and crew-safety outcomes for Hormuz transits.
