Tag: Persian Gulf

Reporting indicates that the Liberian flagged MT Pola has identified the presence of a suspicious object attached to the vessel hull while conducting StS 6nm South Al Bakr Terminal offshore Iraq. As Dryad Global informs, the object is suspected to be a limpet mine. The crew and vessel are understood to be safe at this time. Currently, Iraqi explosives experts are working to defuse the mine. What is more, the MT Pola can be seen to have been in position where the mine was found since the 27th December 20, however it remains unclear when the device was placed. Additional reporting indicates that a second vessel the M/T Nordic Freedom has assisted the Pola in obtaining pictures of the device. This latest incident comes after a spate of incidents within the Red Sea where vessels were targeted by similar devices and WBIED at the Saudi Ports of Al Shuquaiq and Jeddah. Regional tensions remain fraught with uncertainty remaining around the future strategic position of the US within the region post Trump. In addition recent increases in US military activity and rhetoric have led to a heightened posture within Iran. With anniversary of the death of IRGC commander Qasem Soleimani approaching ...

Ships have reported an increasing number of cases of significant GPS interference and jamming in recent months. The geographic areas with more than one reported incident include the eastern and central Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and multiple Chinese ports.

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.