Abu Dhabi, June 10 (IANS/WAM) The maritime region in the Gulf is vital to the economic security of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and it still remains a target for a terrorist attack, a top consultancy for the Middle East based in Britain has said.

"Around 17 million barrels per day of the Middle East's oil exports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The vast size of the maritime domain makes it difficult to secure and police it.

The world's maritime industry carries the bulk of intercontinental trade, estimated at around 90 percent of the volume. The threat spectrum is wide and continues to increase," Paul Burke, managing director of Middle East Security Ltd in Britain, said.

"Small suicide boats have proved to be devastatingly effective against hardened naval targets such as warships. The terrorist attack against the USS Cole killed 17 US sailors, injured 39 and the damage cost $250 million, he said.

The USS Cole was destroyed in a terror attack Oct 12, 2000, when it was refuelling in Aden. Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.

"More advanced weaponry is now proliferating to terrorist groups, including drones, anti-ship missiles and shoulder-launched projectiles. These weapons provide terrorist groups with the capability to mount a strategic strike," he said.