Suezmax tanker attacked in Middle East Gulf
A STENA-controlled tanker has been attacked in the Middle East Gulf as the conflict in the region continues to impact commercial shipping.
Bahamas-flagged, 158,425 dwt suezmax Sonangol Namibe (IMO: 9325049) was reportedly attacked at 2240 hrs on March 4, 30 nautical miles southeast of the Kuwaiti coast.
The tanker is owned by Angolan state oil company Sonangol, but is operated by Stena Bulk as part of the Stena Sonangol Suezmax Pool.
According to UKMTO, the vessel’s master reported witnessing and hearing a large explosion on its port side and then seeing a small craft leave the vicinity.
Reports are circulating that the tanker was laden, but both Lloyd’s List Intelligence and Vortexa data show Sonangol Namibe as in ballast. UKMTO reported an oil spill as a result of the incident, but this has not been confirmed by Lloyd’s List.
Sonangol Marine Services told Reuters that a port ballast tank is losing water, which suggests some form of hull breach, but the ship remains stable and safely afloat.
This latest incident follows the attack on containership Safeen Prestige (IMO: 9593517), which was hit by a missile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on March 4.
The Tasnim News Agency, associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, said the IRGC Navy had carried out an attack on an “American tanker” in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. It claimed the tanker was on fire, and reiterated that navigation rights through the Strait of Hormuz was under the control of Iran.
The IRGC has warned that any US, Israeli or European vessel detected in the strait “will certainly be struck”.
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