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Houthis attack key Saudi Aramco oil portHouthis attack key Saudi Aramco oil port

A drone and ballistic missile attack targeted Saudi oil port Ras Tanura on 7 March as part of a wider attack on the kingdom by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

Gary Howard, Middle East correspondent

March 8, 2021

1 Min Read
Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura Port
Saudi Aramco's Ras Tanura PortPhoto Saudi Aramco

The drone attack targeted “petroleum tank farms” at the port, the Saudi Press Agency said, quoting an official spokesperson at the Ministry of Energy. Shrapnel from a ballistic missile also fell near a Saudi Aramco residential area in the city of Dhahran.

Ras Tanura is one of the largest oil ports in the world, with globally significant storage and export capacity for crude oil and products.

A Houthi spokesman said the group was responsible for the attacks in a televised statement.

The attack was the first on Saudi Aramco’s assets in the eastern area, marking an extension of their reach. Saudi state media claimed there were zero casualties and no loss of property in the attack, and that the drone had come from the direction of the sea.

“Such acts of sabotage do not only target the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but also the security and stability of energy supplies to the world, and therefore, the global economy. They affect the security of petroleum exports, freedom of world trade, and maritime traffic,” said the Press Agency.

“They also expose coasts and territorial waters to grave environmental catastrophes due to potential leakage of petroleum or petroleum products.”

The attacks have drawn condemnation from Saudi Arabia’s regional allies.

The Saudi-led coalition, which has been fighting for control of Yemen since 2015, reported it intercepted 10 armed drone and missile attacks on various civilian targets in Saudi Arabia on 7 March.

Related:Saudi oil exports to be hit by coronavirus impact on Chinese demand

 

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About the Author

Gary Howard

Middle East correspondent

Gary Howard is the Middle East Correspondent for Seatrade Maritime News and has written for Seatrade Cruise, Seatrade Maritime Review and was News Editor at Lloyd’s List. Gary’s maritime career started after catching the shipping bug during a research assignment for the offshore industry. Working out of Seatrade's head office in the UK, he also produces and contributes to conference programmes for Seatrade events including CMA Shipping, Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East and Marintec. 

Gary’s favourite topics within the maritime industry are decarbonisation and wind-assisted propulsion; he particularly enjoys reporting from industry events.

Conferences & Webinars

Gary Howard regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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