Nakilat says Al Mayeda remains operational with no crew injuries, while separate reports describe attacks on two oil tankers and a further distress call from the Strait of Hormuz.

Qatar has opened an investigation after Nakilat’s LNG carrier Al Mayeda was struck by unidentified objects in the Gulf on the evening of October 30, adding to a series of reported attacks on commercial vessels in the region.

The incident followed reports involving the oil tankers Louise 1 and Arzanah. On November 1, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also received a relayed distress call reporting that another vessel had been hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz.

Al Mayeda remains operational

Nakilat, formally Qatar Gas Transport Company, said no crew members aboard Al Mayeda were injured and no environmental impact had been reported. The vessel remained in a safe condition and operational while the company assessed the effects of the incident.

The company said it was coordinating directly with the vessel, its crew and regional maritime security authorities. Its statement did not specify the objects that struck the ship or disclose its precise location or the extent of any damage. 

In a November 1 statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack and said the relevant authorities had begun investigating the circumstances and identifying those responsible.

The ministry said Qatar reserved the right to take necessary measures under international law and the UN Charter to protect its assets, vessels and crews. It warned that attacks on energy carriers threatened maritime navigation and global energy supplies, with potential consequences for the marine environment and regional water security. The statement did not identify an attacker. 

Two tankers attacked

Reuters reported on October 30 that three maritime security sources assessed that the Panama-flagged Louise 1 had been attacked with limpet mines. A small boat attached two explosive devices to its hull, triggering an engine-room fire and temporarily disabling the tanker.

UKMTO placed the incident approximately 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman, according to Reuters. The crew was safe, no environmental impact was reported, and the vessel continued towards its next port after the fire was extinguished.

UKMTO’s advisory did not name the tanker. Its identification as Louise 1 and the assessment that limpet mines were used came from the maritime security sources cited by Reuters. Responsibility for the attack was unclear. 

India’s Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said all 27 Indian seafarers aboard Louise 1, along with the rest of its crew, were safe and uninjured, according to an October 30 report by public broadcaster All India Radio.

Sonowal also reported a projectile attack on the Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier Arzanah in the Strait of Hormuz. The two Indian seafarers aboard that vessel were safe. India was maintaining contact with ship management companies to monitor the welfare of its seafarers. 

Further distress call relayed

In Warning 191/26, UKMTO said a merchant vessel’s master had relayed a Mayday call received on VHF Channel 16, reporting that another vessel had been struck by an unknown projectile within the Strait of Hormuz.

The warning recorded the incident at 15:09 UTC on November 1. It did not identify the affected ship or provide details of its flag, type, crew condition or damage.

The report was relayed by another merchant ship rather than submitted directly by the affected vessel. UKMTO said authorities were investigating and advised vessels to transit with caution and report suspicious activity.