A ship reportedly operating as a “floating armory” in the Gulf of Oman has been seized by Iranian military personnel, according to maritime risk management firm Vanguard Group.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations Organization (UKMTO) said the ship was now “heading towards Iranian territorial waters”.
BBC verify examined MarineTraffic’s ship tracking data, which showed the ship – identified by Vanguard as the Honduran-flagged Hui Chuan – last broadcast its position on Wednesday, 70 kilometers (40 miles) northeast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.
Inovance’s operators told Vanguard that it is a floating armory that stores weapons for security companies that protect ships at sea from pirate attacks.
BBC verify was unable to confirm what was on board or who used it.
The BBC has previously reported how the ships are stationed in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Oman so that security personnel can easily collect and release weapons and ammunition.
[BBC]
Location data shows the ship has been sailing off the northeastern coast of Oman and the United Arab Emirates for the last month.
The Huichuan was apparently seized on Wednesday after an Indian-flagged ship was attacked off the coast of Oman, according to Indian officials.
The Haji Ali reportedly “sinked” off the coast of Oman due to an explosion suspected to have been caused by a “drone or missile,” according to Vanguard Group.
“All Indian crew members on board are safe and we are grateful to the Omani authorities for rescuing them,” Indian authorities said on Thursday.
Ship tracking data from MarineTraffic shows the 57m (187ft) vessel left the Somali port of Berbera on May 6. India’s shipping ministry said its intended destination was Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
The ship was carrying livestock and “a fire was reported on board, forcing the crew to abandon ship before it sank,” Vanguard said.
According to Indian officials, the Omani Coast Guard transferred 14 crew members to the country’s Dibba port.
India’s foreign ministry called the attack “unacceptable”.
[Reuters]
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing on Thursday to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The White House said Xi Jinping had “clearly stated that China opposes the militarization of the Strait.”
“Both sides agreed that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to support the free flow of energy,” according to a U.S. statement released after the meeting.
[BBC]
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