Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained about 70% below pre-conflict levels, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said in its October 17 weekly update. The British maritime security centre reported 12 attacks on commercial vessels during the week, including 10 in the strait.

UKMTO recorded 125 outbound and 129 inbound transits over seven days. Both figures fell from the previous week, when it counted 129 outbound and 146 inbound passages. The strait is an important route for global energy and goods shipments.

Twelve attacks recorded in a week

The weekly attack tally also included one incident in the Persian Gulf and one in the Gulf of Oman. Six vessels continued their voyages or reached port, while one sank. Two could not sail or manoeuvre, and the outcome for three remained unconfirmed.

An earlier UKMTO warning recorded eight attacks involving projectiles of unknown origin on October 11 and 13. Four tankers and four container ships were involved. The centre said the container ship GFS Pride caught fire and sank on October 14.

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Indian crew safe after tanker strike

The crude-oil tanker MT ST 3 was hit by a projectile of unknown origin in the strait on October 16. India's ports, shipping and waterways minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the incident. Indian authorities said all 15 Indian seafarers aboard were safe, and Sonowal said no one was injured.

Responsibility for the strike, the extent of damage and the tanker's operating condition remained unconfirmed.

UKMTO warns of further attacks

UKMTO assessed the threat to commercial vessels in the strait as serious and considered further attacks highly likely. It said attacks, attempted attacks and harassment by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continued. Reported activity included drone overflights, monitoring of merchant ships and radio warnings.

The centre also warned that ships using automatic identification systems, known as AIS, faced an increased risk of attack. They also risked orders to divert onto routes under Iranian control.

In its update, UKMTO said US-assisted transits had averaged about 30 a day over the preceding four days. Commercial shipping nevertheless remained well below pre-war levels.

The centre reported 149 maritime security incidents across the wider region since March 1. Its weekly update separately counted 84 incidents specifically in the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began in late February.