October 2026 became the most intense month for attacks on commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the current Middle East conflict.
According to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, 28 confirmed and reported attacks on commercial vessels were recorded during October.
Since the conflict began on February 28, researchers have documented 113 such incidents in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
Data from the International Maritime Organization points to a similarly high level of risk.
According to the IMO, around 120 incidents involving commercial shipping have occurred in the Strait of Hormuz and other parts of the Middle East since the conflict began.
The tanker fleet has been particularly affected.
More than 30 Very Large Crude Carriers — VLCCs have sustained damage in attacks, including 11 vessels in October alone.
That represents roughly 3.5% of the global VLCC fleet, which consists of more than 900 vessels.
Each VLCC can carry around 2 million barrels of crude oil, meaning the growing number of attacks directly affects one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
The most intense period came during the week of October 5–11.
According to maritime risk consultancy Marisks, 12 vessels were attacked in just seven days, the highest weekly figure recorded since the conflict began.
Reported threats have included drone strikes, unidentified projectiles, mine-related incidents, attempted attacks and other forms of hostile activity against merchant vessels.
Despite the risks, some shipowners continue to send tankers into the Persian Gulf.
One of the main reasons is exceptionally high freight rates.
On some routes, daily earnings for large tankers have exceeded $1 million per day, making voyages commercially attractive despite the significantly higher security risk.
Regional oil producers have also offered deeper discounts on crude, providing additional incentives for buyers and shipping companies to maintain operations.
However, increased shipping activity also creates a larger number of potential targets.
The UK’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations — UKMTO has warned that the real number of maritime incidents may be even higher.
By October 16, UKMTO had recorded 135 incidents linked to the US-Iran conflict.
The organisation also noted that not all shipowners voluntarily report encounters, threats or suspicious activity, meaning the overall picture may remain incomplete.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints.
Before the current crisis, roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the waterway.
Any further deterioration in security could therefore affect not only shipping operations, but also insurance premiums, tanker freight rates and global energy prices.
Naval and maritime authorities continue to advise commercial vessels to maintain heightened vigilance, follow recommended routing measures and promptly report any suspicious incidents.
Twenty-eight attacks in a single month and damage to more than 30 VLCCs since the conflict began show how dramatically the security environment has changed in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most critical maritime corridors for global energy trade.
