Iranian state controlled media outlet PressTV reported that 2 separate explosions, possibly caused by missile attacks, have hit an Iranian oil tanker operated by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) near the Saudi port city of Jeddah.
The report quotes NITC as saying that the incident involved the suezmax tanker SABITI and took place some 60 miles from Jeddah early Friday. The explosions hit the vessel’s hull, causing heavy damages to the vessel’s two main tanks, which has resulted in an oil spill in the Red Sea. The spill is currently stopped, according to officials. According to Automatic Identification System (AIS) which gives her position, appeared to have been off for two months until transmissions resumed on October 11th, shortly after the incident. Refinitiv data showed the ship was off Iran’s Gulf coast in mid-August after passing through the Suez Canal in late July and early August.
Tracking service Marine Traffic said on Twitter that, based on its information, including a NASA picture of the area and AIS data, “we do not see any smoke, fire, spills or tugboats. Instead, we see a tanker cruising home at a healthy speed.”
The statement by NITC said the tanker was hit by two separate explosions at 0500 and 0520 hrs on Friday 11th October, probably after being struck by missiles. It said the crew members are currently safe and none of them has been harmed in the explosions. The tanker is currently in a stable condition, the statement added.
There was no claim of responsibility for Friday’s reported incident, which follows attacks on tankers in the Gulf in May and June, as well as strikes on Saudi oil sites in September.The United States, embroiled in a dispute with Tehran over its nuclear plans, blamed Iran for the attacks. Tehran has denied having a role in any of them.
Saudi Arabia had no immediate comment on Friday’s reports. The U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, which operates in the region, said it was aware of the reports but had no further information.Brian Hook, U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, in a briefing said Washington has seen the reports but offered no comment.
SABITI was built in 1999 in South Korea by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering at Geoje as the IRAN SANANDAJ until March 2008 of which was renamed to SANANDAJ and trading until May 2012; renamed to LANTANA until August 2013 and as SPOTLESS until August 2014.
SAVEH originally IRAN SAVEH now trading as SOL is her sister ship. Seen up here OPL Malta back to 4th September 2010.
Photos by Capt. Lawrence Dalli. Do not use these images without my permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Sunday 13th October 2019