Iran has reportedly detained a tanker linked to a UAE company while it was crossing the Strait of Hormuz near Qeshm Island, Iranian media reported on Monday.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency said the tanker was detained for violating Iranian maritime rules. It said ships using the Strait must follow a route set by Iran, pay service fees and receive permission from Iranian authorities.
Fars did not name the tanker or the UAE company involved. There was no official confirmation from either Iran or the UAE as of 1700 GMT.
The report has not been independently confirmed. However, AIS tracking data showed the Liberia-flagged tanker Amara stopping south of Qeshm Island during an inbound crossing of the Strait. The vessel then moved slowly in circles for more than 12 hours.
The tracking data does not confirm that Amara was the tanker reported as detained.
What is known about Amara?
Amara is a 47,931-dwt chemical and oil products tanker built in 2006. It has IMO number 9333280 and is currently sailing under the Liberian flag.
The vessel was broadcasting that it had an Indian owner and crew.
According to Pole Star Global’s Purple Trac, Marshall Islands-based HSG Shipping is the registered owner of Amara. UAE-based SuperFleet DMCC is listed as its technical manager, while its beneficial owner is listed as unknown.
Fars said the tanker was stopped while crossing the Strait and was reportedly taken towards Qeshm Island.
Iranian media did not say which specific requirement the tanker had allegedly failed to meet.
Report follows attacks on ADNOC-linked vessels
The reported detention follows several attacks on vessels linked to Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC) in the Strait.
Two ADNOC-linked tankers were reportedly attacked on Aug. 14 while trying to make a dark transit of the Strait.
Maritime data company Windward identified the vessels as a Singapore-flagged oil products tanker and a Liberian-flagged Aframax tanker.
A third ADNOC-linked tanker was reportedly attacked on Aug. 8. Other reports have said that as many as 19 vessels linked to ADNOC, including bulk carriers and other types of ships, have been targeted by Iran.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attacks and called on Iran to stop what it described as unprovoked attacks.
The ministry said using the Strait of Hormuz for economic pressure or blackmail amounted to piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Fewer tankers showing on AIS
Fewer tankers are being seen moving through the Strait with their AIS signals switched on.
Kpler data cited by Reuters showed that five tankers left the Strait with AIS signals transmitting on Saturday, Aug. 15. None were recorded on Sunday. The previous weekend, 31 tankers had exited with their AIS signals transmitting.
Kpler said its figures do not include vessels travelling with their AIS switched off.
Bloomberg separately reported that most tankers were travelling through the Strait with their AIS signals turned off. This means available tracking data does not show the full number of vessels using the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for global energy shipments, so changes in tanker traffic can affect shipping and oil markets.
Brent crude futures rose above $91 a barrel after reports of the tanker detention. Before the U.S. and Israel began their campaign against Iran at the end of February, Brent was below $70 a barrel.
U.S. forces continue maritime operations
U.S. Central Command said that by Aug. 17, U.S. forces had redirected 64 commercial vessels, disabled three and boarded two as part of what it called the “America’s US steel wall blockade.”
U.S. officials said the blockade could continue indefinitely.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he would not extend the so-called memorandum of peace with Iran, which expires on Monday. He said Americans were paying “only a little more” for gasoline and that the cost was worthwhile because Iran was being defeated.
References: turkiyetoday, yenisafak
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The information on this website is for general purposes only. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, we make no warranties of any kind regarding completeness, reliability, or suitability. Any reliance you place on such information is at your own risk. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of this website.
