Tag: Gulf of Oman

The charterer of the Iranian-seized 'Riah' denied Iran's claims that the vessel was seized because it was smuggling fuel. According to the company, the vessel was empty of any cargo when it was seized while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. 

After the detention by Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces of the UK-flagged Stena Impero on 19 July and the latest reported actions which have seen the 23 person crew taken off the ship for 'questioning', Human Rights at Sea reinstated its call for widely-accepted UN guidance, describing the basic human rights protections for crew during the deprivation of their liberty in such cases.

After the UK-flagged ship Stena Impero, diverted from its original course in the Strait of Hormuz, the International Chamber of Shipping's (ICS) Secretary General, Guy Platten, stated that he is extremely concerned about this latest development, particularly in respect of the safety of seafarers.

On Friday, July 19, Iranian authorities seized Stena Impero, a British-flagged, Swedish-owned oil tanker, while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. The incident spiked the tensions in the area, as the UK condemned this act as 'hostile', denying Tehran's argument that it seized the vessel because it was involved in an accident.

​During its meeting in London on 15-19 July, the Council of the IMO condemned the recent attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and Sea of Oman, with IMO Secretary General urging all Member States to shed efforts to ensure maritime security in the region. 

Diplomatic tensions in the Strait of Hormuz seem to be growing after Iran announced it has seized a foreign tanker it said was smuggling fuel in the Gulf. This could be seen as a retaliation to the seizure of the Iranian tanker Grace 1 by Royal Marines off Gibraltar earlier this month.

Amid tensions shipping companies hire unarmed security guards for ships operating through Middle East Gulf, as a security measure for the ship's and crew's safety. In light of increasing tensions, shipping associations propose that shipping companies had better avoid using private security personnel in critical areas, including Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters reports that the recent attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman have increased insurance costs resulting to the decrease of purchases of marine fuels in the UAE Fujairah oil hub, as shippers are trying to mitigate their time in the Middle East.

An ongoing tension in the Middle East in the last months seems to be affecting shipping as it causes insecurity, disruptions along major shipping routes and therefore in trade, as well as seafarers' safety and the world economy. 

The Strike Club informed that it will continue to provide marine delay insurance for operators in the Straits of Hormuz between the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The Club reached this decision, despite rising political tensions in the area and recent attacks on six tankers.