Tag: Persian Gulf

According to the French Misnistry of Armed Forces, the European Maritime Awareness in the Strait of Hormuz (EMASoH) is from now on operational in the Strait of Hormuz. The mission aims to boost and ensure the freedom of navigation in the Arabian-Persian Gulf area.

After a fire broke out on the Zoya 1, off the Strait of Hormuz, four people were killed, in spite of initial information that claimed that the crew had been rescued. The fire occurred 34 kilometers (21 miles) off Sharjah.

A tanker has caught fire in the Persian Gulf, off the Strait of Hormuz. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the ship is on fire 21 nautical miles (39 km) northwest of United Arabs Emirates city Sharjah.

Nautilus International has welcomed a reduction in risk levels by the UK for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Namely, on November 7 the Warlike Operations Area Committee (WOAC) agreed to downgrade the Strait of Hormuz from a High-Risk Area.

The tension in the Strait of Hormuz over the last months continues to pose serious threats to commercial vessels. Today, Thursday, November 7, a UK Chamber of Shipping spokesperson called for a de-escalation of tension in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that UK flagged ships will soon transit the area without close Royal Naval protection. 

Iran seized another vessel in the Gulf for allegedly smuggling 250,000 litres of diesel fuel to the United Arab Emirates, according to Iran’s semi-official Students News agency ISNA. The ship was detained near Iran’s Greater Tunb island in the Persian Gulf.

Iran has seized a tugboat which was allegedly smuggling fuel on Saturday, September 7, and detained its 12 Filipino crew. Iranian TV reported that the vessel was transmitting about 284,000 litres of diesel. Iran hasn't provided additional information for the vessel, as under which flag its flying.

As EIA informs the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a strategic route for oil and natural gas shipments. The strait is a sea route chokepoint between the Horn of Africa and the Middle East, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea.

As Bloomberg reports, the US sanctions against Iran and Abu Dhabi's competition are having a negative impact at DP World Plc's ports in Dubai, who are seeing a less cargo volumes for a fifth year in a row. Drewry focuses on the fact that the Dubai's container volumes have also been affected by the restrictions on cargo shipments to Qatar because of an embargo by the UAE and additional Arab nations.

According to the Farsnews, Iranian news agency, the Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, commented that Iran is the 'guardian of security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz', adding that the regional issues will be solved through discussions amongst neighbors.