Oil tanker on fire in Gulf of Oman after 'reported attack'

[tacobell fan]

Iranian media reported on Thursday that explosions were heard onboard two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. The US Navy's Fifth Fleet said it is aware of "the reported attack" and that its ships are in the area, rendering assistance.

[tacobell fan]

 

[r2d2]

that region is notorious for pirates too....

A resurgence of pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden and northwest Indian Ocean Region has raised concerns for the shipping industry, military authorities, UN bodies, insurers and regional bodies. An expert has said that reduction in naval assets, the withdrawal of NATO from anti-piracy operations and the perception of lesser threat from piracy may have encouraged the hijackings.Speaking to Muscat Daily, Glen Forbes, a former Royal Navy officer and founder of OCEANLive said, “There has been a resurgence of pirate activity in the Gulf of Aden and northwest Indian Ocean Region, but whether it will prove a return to the height of Somali piracy remains debatable. The next few weeks, during the inter-monsoon period, will determine whether it is the case or not. There have been reports of financiers and pirate kingpins meeting to test the waters, and this recent activity is likely to be the case.” Marshall Islands-flagged crude oil tanker, NAVIG8 Providence was attacked by skiff with six armed Pirates on Board (POB) on June 1, 110nm east of Muscat. “There was an exchange of small arms fire between the pirates and the maritime security team on board the tanker,” EU Navfor said in a statement.