Ports across the Gulf have been thrown into chaos as a series of missile and projectile attacks forced the suspension of operations in Dubai, Oman, and Bahrain, raising fears of a broader escalation in one of the world’s most strategically critical maritime corridors. The attacks, which began over the weekend, have damaged at least three vessels and triggered a fire at the Jebel Ali port in Dubai, sending plumes of smoke visible across the city.
The most severe incident occurred off the coast of Oman on Sunday when the Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker MKD Vyom was struck by a projectile while carrying crude oil under a charter agreement with Mercuria. The attack caused a violent explosion followed by a fire aboard the tanker, leaving one crew member dead and four others injured. Omani authorities evacuated the injured crew for medical treatment. The vessel, which had 20 crew members aboard, was not transiting the Strait of Hormuz at the time and had been anchored, mitigating the likelihood of a deliberate disruption of the crucial shipping route.
In a separate incident, a sanctioned tanker, Skylight, was hit by a missile approximately five nautical miles north of Khasab port in Omani territorial waters. The vessel, previously flagged by Palau but now understood to be stateless, had been anchored since 22 February. It was not engaged in transit through the Strait of Hormuz when struck. Analysts note that while the vessel’s stationary position reduces the immediate risk to maritime traffic, the strike’s proximity to the Musandam Peninsula—a key vantage point overlooking the Strait—heightens regional concern. The maritime security firm Marisks emphasized in a report circulated on Sunday that any incident near the Strait inevitably raises alarms in the international shipping community due to the chokepoint’s strategic importance.
A third oil-bunkering tanker was reported damaged off the UAE coast, though the claim could not be independently verified by Lloyd’s List. The flurry of attacks has led to unprecedented operational disruptions across major ports. In Dubai, operations at the Jebel Ali facility were fully suspended following a fire reportedly triggered by debris from an “aerial interception,” according to the Dubai Media Office. Footage from vessels anchored near the UAE coast shows rockets landing mere meters away from ships, underscoring the growing hazards in the region.
While some ports have maintained normal operations, others have implemented partial closures or heightened security measures. Sharjah and Khor Fakkan ports in the UAE remain operational, whereas Ruwais port has been raised to ISPS Level 2, indicating a specific threat. Bahrain has temporarily suspended all port activity, including pilotage services. In Kuwait, authorities increased security levels without suspending operations, while in Qatar, Ras Laffan and Mesaieed ports remain open but with reduced traffic and reports of GPS signal interference. The Qatari government also closed its airspace as a precautionary measure. In Oman, Duqm port and the Asyad Dry Dock at Duqm suspended operations, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that some facilities were being evacuated.
The timing of the strikes comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, further complicating navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest energy chokepoints. Tanker traffic has sharply declined in recent days, with no traceable passages of major crude carriers through the Strait since Saturday night. Saturday saw 72 vessels transit the chokepoint, down from 116 the day before, according to industry reports, though this drop has not reached historically low levels.
The UK’s defence secretary, John Healy, commented on the regional threat during an interview on the BBC, revealing that British personnel stationed at a base in Bahrain were “within several hundred yards” of retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Saturday. Healy noted that two missiles were reportedly fired in the direction of Cyprus. However, Cyprus Defence Minister Vassilis Palmas refuted claims that the island had been targeted, stating via social media that “there is no indication that there was a threat to the country.”
The consequences for the global oil market could be significant. Any sustained disruption to port operations or tanker movement in the Gulf risks delaying the shipment of crude oil and refined products at a time when the market remains sensitive to supply shocks. Shipping insurers and maritime security experts are closely monitoring developments, with some warning that additional attacks could force vessels to reroute around longer, riskier paths, driving up costs and transit times.
On the ground in Dubai, operations at Jebel Ali remain halted, with emergency crews continuing to monitor the fire caused by falling debris. Despite the ongoing suspension, authorities have not raised the national security threat level, and several other UAE facilities are continuing operations. The fire at Jebel Ali port serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of port infrastructure in the face of aerial and missile threats, and the incident has sparked urgent discussions within the shipping industry about contingency measures for future attacks.
Maritime analysts warn that the situation could deteriorate rapidly if further attacks target moving vessels in the Strait of Hormuz or other strategic facilities along the Gulf coast. The combination of heightened regional tensions, proximity to critical energy routes, and the demonstrated vulnerability of anchored and operating ships alike underscores the growing risks for commercial shipping. As nations across the region respond with increased security measures and partial suspensions, global markets will be watching closely for any sign of escalation that could threaten the uninterrupted flow of oil and goods from one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors.
The weekend’s events have left the Gulf on edge, with ports struggling to balance operational continuity against security imperatives. Whether these attacks mark the beginning of a new wave of regional escalation or remain isolated incidents, the immediate impact on shipping, trade, and regional stability is undeniable. For now, the world’s eyes remain on Dubai, Oman, and Bahrain as they navigate the dangerous intersection of commercial interests and geopolitical tension in the Gulf.
