UKMTO says tanker struck by unknown projectile off Saudi Arabia's Yanbu

​A tanker was ‌struck by ​an unknown projectile 63 nautical miles west of Saudi Arabia's port ‌city of Yanbu, leading to a fire on the vessel's main deck, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on ‌Monday.

The UKMTO said all crew were safe and ‌accounted for with no reported environmental impact. Yanbu is Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea oil port, where millions of barrels a day ⁠are ​loaded, and ⁠has become the main route out for Saudi oil skirting the Strait ⁠of Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iran.

Shipping from Yanbu ​has itself faced disruption since Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis declared ⁠a blockade on Saudi-linked vessels in the Red Sea last month. The ⁠Houthis ​have carried out attacks on Saudi oil facilities and shipping in the Red Sea in recent ⁠weeks, and they claimed to have targeted Saudi oil giant ⁠Aramco facilities ⁠in Yanbu in July. There was no confirmation or comment from Saudi authorities.