Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, better known as ADNOC, says repeated attacks on its vessels and personnel are having a significant impact on its operations as insecurity continues to disrupt commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
ADNOC said 15 vessels linked to its operations had been targeted by missiles and drones while navigating the strategic waterway since the outbreak of the current regional conflict. Three of those attacks occurred during the latest week, according to the company.
The incidents have had serious human consequences. ADNOC said one crew member had been killed and another 20 injured in attacks involving its vessels.
The company described the operating environment as exceptionally difficult but said it was continuing to work with authorities to protect staff, ships and energy infrastructure while attempting to meet customer commitments.
The disruption comes at a critical time for global energy markets because the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. Historical U.S. Energy Information Administration data show that roughly one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption has passed through the strait in recent years.
Read Also: ADNOC Logistics & Services PLC | ADNOCLS | Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Fifteen ADNOC Vessels Targeted
The scale of the attacks illustrates the growing maritime security challenge facing one of the UAE’s most important companies.
ADNOC said 15 of its vessels had been struck or targeted by missile and drone attacks since the conflict began, including three during the most recent week.
For a company that exports crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products to customers around the world, safe access to international shipping lanes is essential.
Every disruption can affect vessel scheduling, insurance arrangements, freight costs and the timing of deliveries.
Even when physical damage to a ship is limited, an attack can trigger additional inspections, rerouting and safety reviews before normal operations resume.
ADNOC Says Its Operations Are Being Significantly Affected
ADNOC acknowledged that the repeated incidents were no longer isolated security events but were materially affecting its day-to-day operations.
The company said it was working to continue meeting customer requirements despite difficult conditions and was coordinating closely with relevant authorities on protective measures.
That response reflects the importance of maintaining continuity for international customers that depend on Gulf energy supplies.
ADNOC is one of the world’s largest energy producers and is a major supplier of crude, gas and refined products to markets across Asia and elsewhere.
Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz therefore have implications beyond the UAE.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz sits between Iran and Oman and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Its narrow geography makes it one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has estimated that oil flows through the waterway have historically been equivalent to around 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
The strait is also important for liquefied natural gas exports, particularly shipments originating from Gulf producers.
That concentration means any prolonged disruption can quickly affect global shipping schedules, energy prices and insurance costs.
Shipping Traffic Has Fallen Sharply
The impact of the regional conflict is already visible in vessel movements.
Reuters reported that only 33 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz between Monday and Thursday in the latest week, compared with 50 during the same period the previous week. Before the conflict, weekly traffic was substantially higher.
Shipowners have become increasingly cautious about sending vessels through the area because of the risk of attack.
That caution creates logistical challenges even for companies whose own ships have not been directly targeted.
Fewer available vessels can push freight rates higher, while additional security requirements and insurance premiums increase the cost of transporting energy cargoes.
Attacks Add Pressure to Global Energy Markets
The insecurity comes as traders closely monitor negotiations and developments affecting the reopening and normalization of Hormuz traffic.
Oil prices have responded to uncertainty around the waterway. Brent crude closed at $83.55 per barrel on August 7, rising 1.3% during the session as markets weighed the prospects for restoring normal shipping conditions.
The market response underlines how quickly developments in the strait can affect global energy prices.
A prolonged disruption could potentially tighten physical supply even when producing countries have enough oil available, because the challenge becomes moving that crude safely to international buyers.
Safety of Crew Members Becomes a Central Concern
For ADNOC, the crisis is not simply about production volumes or shipping delays.
The death of one crew member and injuries to 20 others demonstrate the human cost of attacks on commercial shipping.
Shipping crews already work in demanding environments, and the addition of missile and drone threats significantly increases operational risk.
Companies operating in conflict-affected waters may need to consider additional security procedures, emergency planning and route management.
Those measures can reduce risk but cannot completely eliminate the danger posed by attacks on commercial vessels.
ADNOC Calls for Safe Navigation
ADNOC has emphasized that commercial shipping should be able to pass through international waterways without being threatened or attacked.
Its statement called for freedom of navigation and the safe movement of commercial vessels to be respected.
The principle is particularly important in the Strait of Hormuz because the waterway serves exporters and customers far beyond the immediate region.
Disruption there can affect refineries, airlines, manufacturers and consumers thousands of kilometres away.
UAE Raises Concerns Over Additional Attack
The situation remained tense after ADNOC’s August 7 statement.
On August 8, UAE authorities accused Iran of carrying out another missile attack against an ADNOC-linked vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Reuters reported that no injuries were recorded in that particular incident.
The UAE condemned the attack and called for an end to threats against commercial navigation. Iran’s position and the wider diplomatic dispute remain part of an evolving regional confrontation.
The subsequent incident reinforces ADNOC’s warning that maritime security risks are continuing rather than easing immediately.
The Wider Impact on Freight and Insurance
Attacks on commercial vessels can create significant secondary costs.
Marine insurers assess the probability of ships being damaged or crews being harmed. When risks rise, premiums for vessels entering affected areas may increase sharply.
Some shipowners may refuse voyages altogether unless customers agree to additional war-risk charges.
This can raise the final cost of transporting oil and gas even when the commodity itself has not become more expensive at the production site.
Energy buyers may also seek alternative suppliers or routes if they become concerned that scheduled cargoes could be delayed.
Alternative Routes Have Limits
Gulf producers have invested in pipelines and export facilities that allow some energy shipments to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
However, alternative infrastructure does not have enough capacity to replace all the oil and gas that would ordinarily travel through the waterway.
That makes uninterrupted navigation through Hormuz strategically important even when alternative routes are available.
The challenge is especially significant during periods when global inventories are already under pressure or buyers are seeking replacement cargoes quickly.
ADNOC Faces a Difficult Balancing Act
The company’s immediate challenge is balancing three competing priorities.
It must protect employees and crews, preserve physical assets and continue serving customers.
Completely halting shipping would reduce exposure to attacks but could disrupt contractual commitments and regional energy exports.
Continuing operations maintains supply flows but exposes personnel and vessels to additional risk.
That is why coordination with UAE authorities and maritime security agencies has become increasingly important.
What the Crisis Means for ADNOC Customers
For energy buyers, the biggest concern is reliability.
ADNOC has not announced a broad suspension of customer deliveries and says it is continuing to meet requirements as far as circumstances allow.
However, persistent attacks could affect scheduling and transportation even if production facilities themselves continue operating normally.
Customers may therefore monitor vessel availability, loading schedules and regional security conditions more closely than usual.
Hormuz Remains a Global Economic Risk
The crisis demonstrates why the Strait of Hormuz is more than a regional security issue.
Approximately 20.9 million barrels per day of oil moved through the strait during the first half of 2025, according to EIA data, equivalent to about one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption.
A disruption of that scale cannot easily be replaced by alternative routes.
That gives events in the narrow waterway the ability to influence energy prices, inflation, shipping costs and economic growth far beyond the Middle East.
Final Thoughts
ADNOC’s disclosure that 15 of its vessels have been targeted by missiles and drones highlights the growing operational and human cost of instability around the Strait of Hormuz.
One crew member has been killed and 20 others injured, while the company says attacks on its people and assets are significantly affecting operations.
Despite the risks, ADNOC says it is continuing to work with authorities and taking measures to protect personnel and infrastructure while serving customers.
The implications extend well beyond the company.
Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes, and continued attacks could increase freight costs, complicate oil and gas deliveries and add further uncertainty to global energy markets.
The priority for the energy industry is therefore not simply maintaining production. It is ensuring that commercial vessels and their crews can move through international waterways safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many ADNOC vessels have been attacked?
ADNOC says 15 vessels have been targeted by missiles and drones while transiting the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the conflict.
Were there casualties?
Yes. ADNOC reported that one crew member was killed and 20 people were injured in the attacks.
Are ADNOC operations still continuing?
Yes. The company says it is working to maintain customer deliveries while coordinating with authorities and introducing measures to protect its personnel, vessels and operations.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
It is one of the world’s largest oil shipping chokepoints. EIA data indicate that oil flows through Hormuz have recently represented about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption.
Are ships still using the Strait of Hormuz?
Yes, but traffic has been significantly disrupted, with Reuters reporting fewer vessel transits amid heightened security risks and ongoing diplomatic negotiations.
Read Also: Football’s Richest Clubs Hit Record $87 Billion
