Tanker seized after transiting Strait of Hormuz
SECURITY sources have called for enhanced vigilance in the Strait of Hormuz after a crude oil tanker was seized by Iranian forces overnight.
The 2010-built, Marshall Islands-flagged, 73,371 dwt crude oil tanker Talara (IMO: 9569994) left Hamriyah in the UAE on Thursday, with its AIS destination showing it was sailing towards Singapore.
At 0820 hrs local time this morning, the vessel made a sudden course deviation whilst transiting the Gulf of Oman, 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan, according to the vessel tracking data.
Its last AIS signal was received 1206 hrs, showing it heading towards Iranian territorial waters.
A security source told Lloyd’s List that a US Navy drone was present at the time and observed the incident. According to the source, no casualties or damage were reported, and the reasons remain unclear amid regional tensions.
Two maritime sources told Reuters that their initial assessment was that Revolutionary Guard units had taken Talara toward Iran’s coast.
Iran has yet to officially comment on the incident.
The vessel is owned by the Greece-based Coronis Family Group of Companies. The company has not responded to requests for comment.
Maritime security firm Ambrey issued a warning, saying that a Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker that had previously been approached by three small boats while transiting southbound through the Strait of Hormuz was observed making a sudden course deviation at the same location.
Ambrey said that the incident was likely highly targeted and advised the merchant vessels to “remain vigilant while transiting the Strait of Hormuz and to report any suspicious activity immediately”.
UKMTO said that it received a report of an incident 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan and that “the incident is believed to be state activity. The vessel is transiting towards Iranian territorial waters.”
It also advised vessels to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity.
The last seizure of a vessel by Iran was in April 2024 when Iran’s Revolutionary Guard hijacked a Zodiac Maritime-owned, Mediterranean Shipping Co-chartered boxship MSC Aries (IMO: 9857169) as it passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
Special naval forces boarded the vessel by helicopter as it was proceeding south, sailing for the Indian port of Nhava Sheva, and was taken to Iranian territorial waters.
That was considered as a response to Israel’s air strike that destroyed Iran’s consulate in Damascus at the beginning of April last year.
Iran threatened to close off the Strait of Hormuz during the war with Israel in June. A fifth of global oil trade passes through the narrow strait that opens up the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
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