A spokesman for Libya's Petroleum Facilities Guard has confirmed that three boats attempted to attack the oil port of Zueitina, according to maritime intelligence firm, Dryad Maritime.
The spokesman stated that his guards had repelled the attack before any of the craft managed to enter the port itself, leaving one of the boats ablaze. It is believed that the raid was instigated by ISIS militants.
ISIS forces launched land based attacks on the oil terminals of As Sidr and Ras Lanuf, 90NM to the west of Zuetina. The clashes left 18 guards dead and more than 50 injured as IS rockets caused fires at seven oil storage tanks at those terminals, the fires were later extinguished.
ISIS control a large area of coastline to the east of Sirte, and it is possible that this latest attack, conducted from the sea, was initially launched from the coast to the east of As Sidr.
It is likely that ISIS will continue to carry out attacks along the coast to further its ambitions in Libya, but at this stage there is no evidence that this intent will extend to attacking vessels offshore.
The recent oil port raids highlight the threat that ISIS now poses especially to the east of their stronghold in Sirte. Dryad believes that as a result, the threat to commercial shipping and mariners near Ras Lanuf, As Sidr and Zuetina is now high.
Until the Libyan military, possibly with assistance from an international coalition of forces, can control this area, further attacks by Jihadists against port oil facilities are likely.
All shipping companies wishing to operate in Libya should only do so after receiving a comprehensive risk assessment to fully understand the potential threats to their crew and vessel.
