Vessel boarded and heading to Iran as India-flag vessel attacked

A VESSEL has been boarded by unauthorised personnel and is now heading for Iranian territorial waters, UKMTO has reported.

In a warning dated May 14, 0545 hrs, UKMTO said it received a report from the company security officer of the unnamed vessel that it had been taken 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah and was bound for Iranian waters.

Only last week, Iran accused the US of “destabilising” maritime safety and security by boarding 300,000 dwt very large crude carrier Tifani (IMO: 9273337) and 281,501 dwt VLCC MAJESTIC X (IMO: 9198317) in April.

Separately, an India-flagged general cargoship has been hit by what are thought to have been drones or missiles on May 13 off the coast of Oman.

According to security sources in the region, Haji Ali was transiting to Sharjah from Berbera, Somalia, reportedly carrying a cargo of livestock.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said the attack “on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted”.

All Indian crew on board are safe, the MEA said, thanking Omani authorities for rescue efforts.

Security sources in the region suggest the vessel has since sunk, though Lloyd’s List was unable to confirm this at the time of writing.

“India reiterates that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members, or otherwise impeding freedom of navigation and commerce, should be avoided.”