All crew members reported safe off Dibba; UKMTO launches investigation as maritime agency advises passing vessels to exercise caution.
DUBAI : A commercial vessel sustained damage to its steering system following an attack off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said.
The incident occurred approximately 17 nautical miles east of Dibba, a coastal city situated in the northern Emirates near the Gulf of Oman. According to an advisory issued by UKMTO, which monitors security across key regional waterways, all crew members aboard the targeted vessel are safe and accounted for.
Authorities confirmed that the attack caused no environmental contamination or oil spills in the surrounding waters. The vessel remains operational despite the damage sustained by its steering control mechanisms.
Maritime security authorities have launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the source and method of the attack. While no group has claimed responsibility, UKMTO urged merchant shipping in the area to maintain strict vigilance, observe elevated security protocols, and report any suspicious maritime activity immediately to regional naval authorities.
The strategic waters off the UAE’s eastern coastline lead into the Strait of Hormuz, a critical bottleneck for international petroleum shipments through which roughly a fifth of the world’s crude oil passes. Security incidents in this corridor frequently prompt heightened readiness among international naval forces operating in the region.
