Qatari LNG tanker Al Mayeda hit by unidentified objects in Gulf

A Qatari liquefied natural gas tanker, the Al Mayeda, was struck by unidentified objects while sailing in the Gulf on Friday evening, October 30, according to reports by Al Jazeera and Gulf News.

The ship belongs to the Qatar Gas Transport Company, known as Nakilat, which issued a statement on Sunday. The company said none of the crew members was injured and that no environmental damage was reported.

Nakilat said the vessel is in a safe condition and remains operational, and that the impact of the incident is being assessed. It added that it was coordinating directly with the vessel, its crew and regional maritime security authorities.

Arab News, citing state media, reported that Qatar's emir said Gulf security and sovereignty cannot be compromised. The reports did not say who was responsible for the attack.

The incident comes amid the war involving Iran. According to the International Maritime Organization and the UK Maritime Trade Operations, more than 120 commercial ships have been hit since the war began.

Al Jazeera reported that Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz early in the war and has warned that vessels passing without its permission would face destruction. Iran says ships must obtain its permission to transit the strait, and the United States has responded by blockading Iranian ports.

Attacks on shipping have increased since the United States reimposed a blockade on Iran's southern ports in July. With at least 29 ships hit, October was the worst month of the war, ahead of the 20 attacks recorded in March.

Gulf News reported that Qatar, which has been mediating in the conflict, has intensified diplomatic efforts to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran.