Attacks on tankers in the Persian Gulf have significantly increased, with 16 attacks on vessels reported in this region over the past 10 days. These attacks have led to rising transportation costs and a decrease in oil prices by national oil companies.
Details of Recent Attacks on Tankers
The latest attack on an unidentified tanker occurred 51 nautical miles away from Madinat ash-Shamal in Qatar. This is the first attack outside the Strait of Hormuz since September 9. Windward has identified 12 vessels and confirmed that all of them have used the southern corridor protected by U.S. military support. Of these, 11 were oil tankers.
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Unimaginable Costs in Oil Transportation
National oil companies are now paying $50 million for each transit to tankers to ensure transportation security. Currently, discounts offered on the official selling price of oil have reached $35 per barrel. The benchmark rate for transporting crude oil with very large tankers to China from Saudi Arabia has exceeded $1.3 million per day. Iranian attacks have put additional pressure on the supply chain, and transportation costs for crude oil from the Persian Gulf now account for more than 25 to 30 percent of the commodity price, whereas under normal conditions, this figure was between 1 to 3 percent.
Risks in Ports and Anchorage Areas
Recent attacks have increased the risks present in the ports and anchorage areas of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The latest attack outside the Hormuz region was on a very large tanker belonging to Greece in Iraqi waters on September 9. Additionally, there is a report of an attack on the tanker ON PEACE on October 6, which injured 12 Indian sailors.
There are now reports of tankers returning mid-transit due to contacts with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. In early September, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) destroyed or rendered inactive eight tankers linked to Iran as part of the "tanker-to-tanker" policy.
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