Home GCC Oman UPDATE: Iran has seized St Nikolas ship near Oman About 4 to 5 unauthorised individuals boarded a vessel near Oman on Thursday, a security group has reported by Gareth van Zyl January 11, 2024 Source: UKTMO Latest update: Iranian state media has confirmed that the country’s military seized the St Nikolas ship. The BBC late on Thursday reported that “Iranian state media, quoting the navy, said the seizure was in retaliation for the ship and oil it had aboard being confiscated by the US last year.” “The St Nikolas was in transit between the Iraqi port of Basra and its intended destination in Turkey,” the BBC reported. Armed individuals wearing “military style black uniforms with black masks” have boarded a ship near Oman, according to a latest update by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). UKMTO had posted several alerts on Thursday about the incident. In one of its latest updates, UKMTO said it has “received a report of vessel being boarded by 4-5 armed unauthorised persons at approximately 0330UTC in an area 50NM East of Sohar, Oman. Unauthorised boarders are reported to be wearing military style black uniforms with black masks.” The organisation further said that authorities are investigating. Update and clarification: In a report published by shipping publication Tradewinds, the publication is reporting that the ship is the St Nikolas, which was was “previously at the centre of an Iranian cargo seizure row involving the US.” Further information on shipping database Marintraffic.com reveals that the ship is Marshall Islands-flagged and not Greek flagged, as previously reported here on Gulf Business. Data from MarineTraffic.com. One of UKMTO’s latest reports on the situation near Oman. (Source: UKMTO Twitter) Red Sea tensions This latest incident, though, follows growing tensions in the Red Sea. READ MORE: Largest Red Sea attack yet drives up global oil prices On Wednesday, Yemen-based Houthis mounted their largest attack yet on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The US and Britain hinted they would take further measures if the attacks continued, and the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate end to the strikes. Tags crime shipping You might also like ADNOC L&S JV inks deal worth $250m for mega ammonia carriers Red Sea insurance costs soar as Houthi shipping threats loom Dubai ranks among top 5 in global shipping index for fifth year How have global shipping firms reacted to Red Sea tensions?
