The Royal Navy has warned of the “potential hijack” of a ship off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman, though the circumstances remain unclear.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers and as commercial shipping in the region has found itself in the crosshairs.
Most recently, the US, the UK and Israel blamed Iran for a drone attack on an oil tanker off the coast of Oman that killed two people, including one Briton. Iran has denied involvement.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations initially warned ships on Tuesday that “an incident is currently under way” off the coast of Fujairah. Hours later, authorities said the incident was a “potential hijack” but provided no further details.
Hijackers who seized a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman have left the ship, according to the Royal Navy.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that the incident, which it had described as a “potential hijack” the night before, was “complete”. It did not provide further details.
“The vessel is safe,” the group said, without identifying the ship.
Shipping authority Lloyd’s List and maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global had identified the hijacked vessel as Panama-flagged asphalt tanker Asphalt Princess.
The vessel’s owner, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Hijackers have left vessel off Gulf of Oman: British navy group
Web report/Dubai
Photo: AP
No further details were provided.
The hijackers who seized a vessel off the coast of the Gulf of Oman left the targeted ship on Wednesday, the British navy reported, without elaborating.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that the “incident,” which it had described as a potential hijacking the night before, was now “complete.” It did not provide further details.
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The vessel’s owner, listed as Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment.
The event unfolded amid heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers and as commercial shipping in the region has found itself caught in the crosshairs.
Royal Navy warns of potential hijack
Incident in Gulf of Oman days after attack on tanker
The Mercer Street was attacked last Thursday (Image: PA)
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The hijackers who seized a vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates in the Gulf of Oman left the targeted ship on Wednesday, the British navy reported, without elaborating.
The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that the incident, which it had described as a “potential hijack” the night before, was now “complete.” It did not provide further details.
“The vessel is safe,” the group said, without identifying the ship. Shipping authority Lloyd’s List and maritime intelligence firm Dryad Global had both identified the hijacked vessel as Panama-flagged asphalt tanker Asphalt Princess. The vessel’s owner, listed as Emirati free zone-based Glory International, could not immediately be reached for comment.