Tugboat hit by projectiles off UAE, LNG tanker fired on near Yemen

A tugboat was struck by two unidentified projectiles off the United Arab Emirates, leaving one person slightly injured, while an armed small boat opened fire on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker off Yemen, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday.

The tugboat was sailing south-northeast of Khor Fakkan when it was hit by the projectiles.

The vessel sustained damage but continued its voyage, UKMTO said, adding that the exact time of the incident had not been confirmed.

In a separate incident, a small boat carrying seven people approached an LNG tanker about 140 nautical miles southeast of Al Mukalla, Yemen, and fired two shots at it.

The tanker’s armed security team responded with two warning shots, forcing the small boat to change course.

UKMTO urged vessels operating in the area to exercise caution and report suspicious activity.

The agency did not identify those responsible for either incident, and investigations were ongoing.