Financial Times: Ships in the Strait of Hormuz face the most intense attacks since the war began

The Financial Times reported that in two weeks, 24 tankers and other vessels were targeted by Iranian attacks; on Sunday alone, six vessels were attacked. Financial Times post: Ships in the Strait of Hormuz face the most intense attacks since the war began first appeared on Safir Arjan.

According to Ambassador Arjan's report, this article continues: Ships in and around the Strait of Hormuz have faced the most intense period of Iranian missile and drone attacks since the beginning of the American and Israeli attacks against Iran seven months ago. A situation that has made ship owners reconsider their decision to carry cargo in this area.

According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Organization (UKMTO), which monitors maritime security in the region, six vessels were attacked on Sunday alone. According to calculations, this day has been the deadliest day of attacks on shipping near the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the conflict.

According to Vanguard Maritime Security Company, among the targeted ships, three oil tankers were carrying refined petroleum products. The other two ships were oil tankers belonging to the Chinese company New Treasure Shipping and the South Korean company Sinokor.

An Indian container ship was also attacked. This incident occurred after the attacks on ships with Indian crews in recent days, during which several sailors were injured. It was also reported that two Indian sailors were missing from one of the tankers carrying petroleum products.

India's foreign ministry on Sunday described the attacks as "deeply disturbing" and called for an immediate resolution to the clashes.

According to data compiled by the Financial Times from UKMTO reports and European security sources, 24 ships were targeted in the two weeks ending October 11. The next most intense period of attacks was in the first two weeks of March, during which 13 ships were targeted.

The Institute for the Study of War stated: "Iran may be developing its anti-ship missile capabilities to increase its ability to target vessels."

Average oil shipments from the Persian Gulf out of the region reached 15.5 million barrels per day in September, the highest level since the start of the war, according to data from commodity information platform Kpler.

But since then, oil exports have decreased drastically; Because Iran's new attacks have significantly reduced the number of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to figures released by Kepler on Tuesday, only 2.9 million barrels of oil passed through the waterway on Oct. 11, the lowest for the month.

Kepler announced that this figure may be revised upwards after tracking more ships through satellite images; However, the seven-day average volume of oil shipments was still about 43% lower than the level before the start of the conflicts.

Shipowners who were previously willing to accept the risk of operating in the area due to high shipping rates are now beginning to avoid the area.

Based on ship tracking data, in recent days several vessels appear to have changed their course away from Fujairah, the UAE anchorage in the Gulf of Oman that has been home to ships ready to load Persian Gulf cargo.

Some ships from the Middle East have moved to US ports in the Gulf of Mexico to load cargo in a safer area; A region where shipping rates remain high thanks to a global shortage of tankers.

One of the reasons for the lack of oil tankers is that, following the war, the vessels have had to travel longer routes to move to the required positions or switch to transferring cargo from one ship to another; Actions that can delay the movement of ships for several days.

According to data from shipping brokerage Clarksons, the global average revenue of supertankers reached a new daily record of $805,000 on October 9.

Clarksons has estimated that the lengthening of sea routes and the transfer of cargo between ships has increased the demand for tankers by about 13%.