Bulk Carrier MV Laya Likely Struck by Drone in Qatari Waters Northeast of Doha

A cargo vessel was struck by a drone in Qatari waters northeast of Doha in the early hours of Sunday, causing a fire on board, UKMTO and the Qatari Ministry of Defence confirmed. The crew extinguished the fire and completed the passage to port. Neither authority named the vessel.

The vessel was en route from Abu Dhabi to the port of Mesaieed at the time of the strike. AIS data from ShipAtlas indicates the only bulk carrier recorded as arriving at Mesaieed on May 10 is the Liberian-flagged MV Leya, making it the most likely candidate. No crew injuries were reported and no pollution was detected.

The attack represents the first confirmed drone strike in Qatari territorial waters since the outbreak of hostilities, and marks a further geographic expansion of maritime interdiction activity in the Gulf.

The vessel's current condition and extent of damage have not been publicly disclosed. Investigation is ongoing.