Iran has seized the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker St. Nikolas, which was carrying Iraqi crude oil destined for Turkey. The seizure, which occurred on Thursday near the Gulf of Oman, involved a crew of 19, including 18 Filipinos.
This action by Iran seems to be a retaliatory move following last year’s seizure of the same vessel by the United States. The U.S. had confiscated the tanker, then known as Suez Rajan, for transporting Iranian oil, in breach of U.S. sanctions against Iran. The Iranian state media, referring to the vessel as an American tanker, reported that the seizure was ordered by judicial authorities.
UKMTO WARNING 006/JAN/2024 UPDATE 003https://t.co/6a9TLpaLrg#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/qbF6AuP33f
— United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) (@UK_MTO) January 11, 2024
According to British maritime security firm Ambrey, the tanker was boarded by armed intruders near the Omani city of Sohar. Following the boarding, the vessel’s AIS tracking system was deactivated, and it was redirected towards the Iranian port of Bandar-e-Jask.
Empire Navigation, the operator of the St. Nikolas, disclosed that the ship had embarked from the Iraqi port of Basra with 145,000 metric tonnes of oil, heading to Aliaga in Turkey via the Suez Canal. They confirmed losing contact with the vessel after the incident.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that four to five armed persons in military-style uniforms had boarded the vessel, which then changed course towards Iranian territorial waters. Communication with the tanker has since been lost, and the incident remains under investigation.
This incident marks a significant development in the region’s maritime security, particularly as it occurred near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments. The United States Navy’s Fifth Fleet has not yet commented on the situation.
The previous year, the vessel, carrying over 980,000 barrels of Iranian crude oil under the name Suez Rajan, was seized by the U.S. in a sanctions enforcement operation. The oil was confiscated, and the vessel was later renamed St. Nikolas after unloading the cargo.
