|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
By: Edward Graham Sebbie
A Panama-flagged crude oil tanker that was set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz after explosives were planted on its hull has resumed its voyage after the fire was brought under control with all crew members confirmed safe.
The vessel, identified by maritime security firm, Vanguard Tech as LOUISE 1 with IMO number 9290323, was attacked at 22:12 UTC on October 29 while exiting the Strait, about 25 nautical miles northeast of Khasab, Oman.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, UKMTO, which monitors shipping in the region, said the attack was carried out by a small boat that moved close to the port side of the tanker and fixed two explosive devices above the waterline. The explosions that followed sparked a fire in the engine room and left the 159,092 deadweight tonnage vessel temporarily disabled.
UKMTO later confirmed in its Warning 187-26 that the blaze had been extinguished. “The subsequent blasts resulted in a fire in the engine room which temporarily disabled the vessel. The fire is now reported as extinguished and vessel is continuing to its next port of call,” the agency stated, adding that no pollution was reported.
The Louise 1 is said to be owned by Panama-based Aquarius Maritime Ventures, according to data from Pole Star Global, though UKMTO has not officially named the tanker in its alerts.
The incident has raised fresh concerns among shipping operators because of the method used. Unlike previous attacks in the strategic waterway that involved drones, missiles or shooting from small craft, this time explosives were attached directly to the ship, a development analysts describe as a dangerous shift in tactics.
The attack on the Louise 1 came just hours after another tanker was hit by an unknown projectile while also transiting out of the Strait at 16:00 UTC on the same day, according to UKMTO Warning 186-26.
Earlier fears that a tanker had sunk off the Omani coast after being seen burning and largely submerged 9 nautical miles north of Khasab turned out to be a different vessel. Regional authorities clarified that the vessel was a local trading dhow which caught fire, listed and sank, with its crew safely evacuated by local authorities.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy, carrying about a fifth of the world’s oil supply, and recent incidents have heightened calls for caution. According to figures from the International Maritime Organization, 121 maritime security incidents have been recorded across the Middle East as of October 27 this year, with 24 seafarer deaths.
UKMTO has urged all vessels transiting the area to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity.
