Drone Strikes Kuwaiti Tanker in Dubai

A drone attack suspected to be linked to Iran has sparked a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai’s port, United Arab Emirates, amid rising tensions in the Gulf region. The incident adds to the list of attacks on commercial vessels since regional conflicts intensified.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) stated that the tanker Al-Salmi, which was docked, was attacked and sustained damage accompanied by a fire on board.

“The tanker Al-Salmi was hit by an attack while berthed, causing damage and a fire on the vessel,” KPC’s statement was reported by Al Jazeera.

Dubai authorities confirmed a drone attack occurred overnight but emphasised that the situation was quickly brought under control. The fire, which had flared up, was extinguished by the emergency response team.

“A drone attack on the Kuwaiti oil tanker occurred last night and has been successfully managed. There was no oil spill or injuries,” read the official statement from local authorities.

Nevertheless, KPC had warned of the potential for an oil spill in the surrounding waters. Assessment of the vessel’s damage is still ongoing.

Shipping data indicates the vessel was carrying approximately two million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, with a final destination of Qingdao, China.

This incident followed a series of explosions heard in Dubai from Monday evening until Tuesday early hours.

The attack on Al-Salmi is part of a pattern of assaults on trading ships in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran erupted at the end of February.

Previously, a Greek container ship off the coast of Saudi Arabia reported two projectiles falling nearby. Meanwhile, a Thai cargo ship attacked near the Strait of Hormuz remains paralysed, with three crew members still missing.

Indonesia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have conducted the Third Round of Negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between the two parties (Indonesia-GCC FTA).