Tanker Hit By “Large Explosion” Off Kuwait; Oil Spill Reported As Small Craft Flees Scene

KUWAIT CITY / LONDON — A new maritime emergency has erupted in the Persian Gulf as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported a targeted explosion against a tanker anchored off the coast of Kuwait. The incident, which occurred late Wednesday night, resulted in a confirmed oil leak and sparked an immediate investigation into the “small craft” seen fleeing the area.

1. The Incident: 22:40 UTC, March 4, 2026

The master of the affected tanker reported a “large explosion” on the vessel’s port side while at anchor near the Mubarak Al-Kabeer area.

• The Sightings: Immediately following the blast, the crew observed a small craft exiting the vicinity at high speed.
• The Damage: UKMTO confirmed that oil is leaking into the water from a damaged cargo tank, warning of a potential “environmental impact” in the sensitive Gulf waters.
• Crew Status: In a rare piece of good news, the agency confirmed that all crew members are “safe and well” and no fires broke out on board despite the explosion.

2. Jurisdiction and Location

Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has moved to clarify the geography of the strike to manage regional tensions:

• Outside Territorial Waters: The ministry stated the blast occurred at least 60 km (37 miles) away from the Mubarak Al-Kabeer port, placing it in international waters rather than Kuwaiti sovereign territory.
• Investigation Underway: International maritime authorities and Kuwaiti officials are currently coordinating to identify the origin of the “small craft” and the nature of the explosive used.

3. Regional Context: The Shadow of Iran

The attack comes amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war, where maritime assets have become frequent targets for drone and “mosquito fleet” (small boat) operations.

• Retaliation Cycle: This explosion follows earlier Iranian drone strikes on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh and the AWS data center in the UAE, suggesting a widening campaign against regional infrastructure and shipping.
• UKMTO Advisory: The agency has advised all vessels transiting the North Persian Gulf to exercise extreme caution and report any “suspicious activity” immediately.

Incident Report Summary