Oil tanker docked at Saudi Jeddah port hit... 'Attacked by boat loaded with explosives'

All Crew Members of Attacked Tanker Safe
Even Harbor Considered Safe Zone Was Attacked
International Community Alert to Possible Iran Connection

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] An oil tanker anchored in Jeddah, a Red Sea port city in southwestern Saudi Arabia, was attacked by a boat carrying explosives. Although there were no casualties, geopolitical tensions have heightened as attacks continue even in ports previously considered safe.

Jeddah Port, Saudi Arabia
[Photo by AP Yonhap News]

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 14th (local time), an explosion and fire occurred on the BW Lyn, a Singapore-flagged vessel anchored at Jeddah port. The fire was extinguished, and all 22 crew members, consisting of nationals from the Philippines, India, China, and Romania, escaped injury. However, the ship's exterior was damaged, and there are concerns about a possible oil spill. The attack is reported to have occurred when a boat loaded with explosives approached the oil tanker and detonated nearby.

The Saudi Minister of Energy classified the attack as a terrorist act. However, he stated that there was no damage to the cargo stored in Jeddah or other locations due to this attack.

A spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Energy condemned the attack, saying, "This terrorist and barbaric attack targeted Saudi infrastructure and threatened not only Saudi Arabia and its critical facilities but also the global energy supply chain and the world economy's stability."

The attack is shocking because it occurred at a port, which has been considered relatively safe compared to maritime shipping routes. While there have been occasional attacks on oil tankers passing through the Red Sea, it is rare to see an attack carried out within the port itself.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Yemeni Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, are the primary suspects. WSJ attempted to obtain a statement from the Yemeni rebels regarding the attack but did not confirm the incident. However, a Houthi rebel official stated, "Since Saudi Arabia attacked Yemen, Saudi Arabia cannot avoid Yemen's retaliation."

Saudi Arabia suspects not only the Yemeni Houthi rebels but also Iran, though Iran has denied any involvement. Iran stated that it is not connected to the attack and does not control the Houthi rebels. Even if the Houthi rebels were responsible, Iran claims no involvement.

Experts also suspect Iran behind the attack. The location of the attack is about 1,100 km away from the Houthi rebels' operational area. Therefore, even if the Houthi rebels carried out the attack, it is believed that Iranian support was involved. This is seen as a warning from Iran to the United States following the assassination of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.

The Red Sea is a major oil transportation route connecting the Middle East with Europe, Asia, and North America, with 6.2 million barrels of crude oil or refined products passing through daily.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.