American officials say the vessel sustained two holes on its port side and two on its starboard side just above the waterline.

An Israeli-owned cargo ship that suffered a mysterious explosion in the Gulf of Oman has arrived at Dubai’s port for repairs, days after the blast revived security concerns about the Middle East’s waterways amid heightened tensions with Iran.

Although the crew was unharmed in the blast, the vessel sustained two holes on its port side and two on its starboard side just above the waterline, according to American defence officials.

The cargo vessel was hit by an explosion in the Gulf of Oman while bound for Singapore [Ali Haider/EPA]Emirati officials did not immediately acknowledge or respond to requests for comment on the vessel docking in the country.