Tanker in Kuwaiti Waters Hit by Large Explosion, Oil Spill Threatens Environment

An explosion struck a tanker at anchor off the coast of Kuwait on Thursday, 5 March, with UK Maritime Security Organisation UKMTO confirming that the incident caused an oil spill that could have adverse environmental consequences. ‘There is oil in the water from the cargo tank, so it could affect the environment. The vessel took on water, but there are no reports of fire and all crew are safe and healthy,’ UKMTO said. The master reported he witnessed and heard a large explosion on the port side. Shortly after the blast, a small boat was seen fleeing the scene. The incident occurred at a position 30 nautical miles southeast of Mubarak Al Kabeer, Kuwait. Attacks on a tanker at this location mark a significant broadening of maritime security disruptions in the region, with earlier incidents more focused in the Strait of Hormuz, Bahrain and the Gulf of Oman. This latest strike adds to a string of security incidents in the area, with five other attacks reported in the previous 24 hours. The escalation comes as shipping activity in the Gulf remains hampered by the conflict involving the United States, Iran and Israel. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior clarified that the explosion occurred outside Kuwait’s territorial waters, at least 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Mubarak Al Kabeer Port. The impact of the security uncertainty is being felt in global logistics. Chinese shipping giant Cosco, which operates one of the world’s largest fleets of tankers, announced that it would suspend services to and from Gulf countries, including Kuwait, with effect from Wednesday. The situation in the region remains tense as teams work to mitigate the environmental impact of the oil spill, while the global shipping industry seeks alternative routes to avoid conflict zones. (BBC/AFP/Z-2).