A tanker moored off the coast of Kuwait experienced a significant explosion late Tuesday, which was followed by the departure of a small boat from the scene. This incident has raised new concerns about maritime security in the northern Persian Gulf as tensions in the region escalate.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the explosion happened at 2240 UTC on March 4, approximately 30 nautical miles southeast of Mubarak Al Kabeer, Kuwait.

The captain of the tanker reported hearing and seeing a “large explosion on the port side” of the ship before noticing a small craft leaving the area, according to the UKMTO advisory.

The explosion caused damage to a cargo tank, leading to oil spills in the water and the vessel taking on water, although no fires have been reported. Authorities are currently investigating what happened.

“There is oil in the water coming from a cargo tank which could have some environmental impact,” the UKMTO noted. “The vessel has taken on water, there are no fires reported, and the crew are safe and well.”

The tanker was anchored when the explosion occurred, and there have been no reports of injuries among the crew members.

Kuwait's Interior Ministry stated that the incident occurred outside the country’s territorial waters.

This event takes place against a backdrop of worsening maritime security in the Gulf region due to rising hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Analysts have warned that the conflict has significantly raised the risk of attacks on commercial ships operating in vital energy shipping lanes.

This incident is also the farthest reported attack from the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began over the weekend.

UKMTO has advised vessels in the area to remain vigilant.

“Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” the advisory added.

Authorities have yet to identify the vessel involved or confirm the cause of the explosion. Investigations are still ongoing.

UKMTO acts as a key reporting and coordination center for maritime security incidents in the Middle East, providing information to naval forces and commercial shipping operators across the region.