A vessel anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates has been seized by “unauthorised personnel” and is now heading towards Iranian territorial waters, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), intensifying concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK maritime agency said it received a report of the incident approximately 38 nautical miles, or around 70 kilometres, northeast of Fujairah, one of the UAE’s main ports near the strategic waterway linking the Gulf to global shipping routes.&nbsp;According to AFP, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) said the ship’s company security officer reported that “the vessel has been taken by unauthorized personnel whilst at anchor and is now bound for Iranian Territorial Waters”. No details were immediately released about the vessel’s identity, ownership, cargo or the individuals involved in the seizure. The agency said investigations were ongoing and urged ships operating in the area to report suspicious activity.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-linked-shadow-fleet-uses-ship-to-ship-transfers-near-malaysia-to-bypass-oil-sanctions-1778747105693">Iran-linked 'shadow fleet' uses ship-to-ship transfers near Malaysia to bypass oil sanctions</a>&nbsp;<h2>Hormuz remains critical to global energy trade</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>The incident comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel following conflict that erupted on February 28. Iran has since restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic despite a ceasefire brokered through Pakistani mediation on April 8.The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions in the narrow passage can quickly affect international energy markets and commercial shipping.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-conflict-triggers-ink-shortage-as-japanese-snack-giant-switches-to-black-and-white-packaging-1778658515642">Iran conflict triggers ink shortage as Japanese snack giant switches to black-and-white packaging</a>&nbsp;<h2>Fresh security fears after recent attacks</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Thursday’s seizure follows a series of recent maritime incidents in the region. South Korea said earlier this week that a cargo ship was struck by unidentified aircraft in Hormuz, while Qatar reported that a freighter travelling from Abu Dhabi had been hit by a drone. The UKMTO noted that the latest vessel was seized “whilst at anchor”, before moving towards Iranian waters, underlining continuing risks for commercial ships operating near one of the world’s busiest trade routes.

The UK maritime agency said it received a report of the incident approximately 38 nautical miles, or around 70 kilometres, northeast of Fujairah, one of the UAE’s main ports near the strategic waterway linking the Gulf to global shipping routes.

A vessel anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates has been seized by “unauthorised personnel” and is now heading towards Iranian territorial waters, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), intensifying concerns over security in the Strait of Hormuz. The UK maritime agency said it received a report of the incident approximately 38 nautical miles, or around 70 kilometres, northeast of Fujairah, one of the UAE’s main ports near the strategic waterway linking the Gulf to global shipping routes. According to AFP, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) said the ship’s company security officer reported that “the vessel has been taken by unauthorized personnel whilst at anchor and is now bound for Iranian Territorial Waters”. No details were immediately released about the vessel’s identity, ownership, cargo or the individuals involved in the seizure. The agency said investigations were ongoing and urged ships operating in the area to report suspicious activity. ALSO READ: Iran-linked 'shadow fleet' uses ship-to-ship transfers near Malaysia to bypass oil sanctions Hormuz remains critical to global energy trade The incident comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel following conflict that erupted on February 28. Iran has since restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States imposed a naval blockade targeting Iranian maritime traffic despite a ceasefire brokered through Pakistani mediation on April 8. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, carrying nearly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Disruptions in the narrow passage can quickly affect international energy markets and commercial shipping. ALSO READ: Iran conflict triggers ink shortage as Japanese snack giant switches to black-and-white packaging Fresh security fears after recent attacks Thursday’s seizure follows a series of recent maritime incidents in the region. South Korea said earlier this week that a cargo ship was struck by unidentified aircraft in Hormuz, while Qatar reported that a freighter travelling from Abu Dhabi had been hit by a drone. The UKMTO noted that the latest vessel was seized “whilst at anchor”, before moving towards Iranian waters, underlining continuing risks for commercial ships operating near one of the world’s busiest trade routes.

The UK maritime agency said it received a report of the incident approximately 38 nautical miles, or around 70 kilometres, northeast of Fujairah, one of the UAE’s main ports near the strategic waterway linking the Gulf to global shipping routes.

Vessel seized by unknown men off UAE coast, heading towards Iranian waters: UK maritime agency says

A UK-flagged supertanker that came to a halt in the Gulf early on Saturday is "safe and well", news agency Reuters reported quoting&nbsp;a United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) official.

The Pacific Voyager oil tanker stopped as part of a routine procedure to adjust its arrival time at its next port of call and has since continued on its way, the report added quoting the same official.

The UKMTO, which coordinates <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-demands-britain-release-oil-tanker-held-in-gibraltar-233214">shipping in the Gulf</a>, had been in direct contact with the vessel, the official said.

Meanwhile, Iran dismissed as "fabricated" reports of the seizure of a British oil tanker in the Gulf, Iran's IRIB news agency quoted unnamed sources as saying.

On Twitter, some reports said a British-flagged supertanker called ‘Pacific Voyager’ had come to a halt in the Gulf.

An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander threatened on Friday to seize a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-threatens-british-shipping-in-retaliation-for-tanker-seizure-233404">British ship</a> in retaliation for the capture of an Iranian supertanker by Royal Marines in Gibraltar on Thursday for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.

(With inputs from Reuters)

A UK-flagged supertanker that came to a halt in the Gulf early on Saturday is "safe and well", news agency Reuters reported quoting a United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) official.

A UK-flagged supertanker that came to a halt in the Gulf early on Saturday is "safe and well", news agency Reuters reported quoting a United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) official. The Pacific Voyager oil tanker stopped as part of a routine procedure to adjust its arrival time at its next port of call and has since continued on its way, the report added quoting the same official. The UKMTO, which coordinates shipping in the Gulf, had been in direct contact with the vessel, the official said. Meanwhile, Iran dismissed as "fabricated" reports of the seizure of a British oil tanker in the Gulf, Iran's IRIB news agency quoted unnamed sources as saying. On Twitter, some reports said a British-flagged supertanker called ‘Pacific Voyager’ had come to a halt in the Gulf. An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander threatened on Friday to seize a British ship in retaliation for the capture of an Iranian supertanker by Royal Marines in Gibraltar on Thursday for trying to take oil to Syria in violation of EU sanctions. (With inputs from Reuters)

UK-flagged tanker stopped in Gulf 'safe and well': Maritime trade official 

Somali pirates are suspected of hijacking a bulk carrier ship, the head of a maritime security company said on Saturday, the latest in a string of attacks after years of calm.

Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, the head of private company Dryad Maritime Intelligence, said industry sources had confirmed the hijacking.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which coordinates shipping in the Gulf of Aden area, said on its website it had received a notification earlier on Saturday from a vessel in an area in the Gulf of Aden that was under attack and may have been boarded.

&quot;Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution,&quot; UKMTO said, without giving more details.

The hijacking comes days after pirates hijacked an Indian dhow that was on route to Bossaso from Dubai.

Somali pirates hijacked an oil tanker in March, the first such seizure of a vessel since 2012, but released it after a clash with the marine force in Puntland.

Shipowners have become less wary of piracy after a long period of calm off the Horn of Africa, experts say, and some have started using a route known as the Socotra Gap, between Somalia and Socotra Island, to save time and costs. The route is considered riskier than others.

(Reuters)

Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, the head of Dryad Maritime Intelligence, said industry sources had confirmed the hijacking

Somali pirates are suspected of hijacking a bulk carrier ship, the head of a maritime security company said on Saturday, the latest in a string of attacks after years of calm. Graeme Gibbon-Brooks, the head of private company Dryad Maritime Intelligence, said industry sources had confirmed the hijacking. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which coordinates shipping in the Gulf of Aden area, said on its website it had received a notification earlier on Saturday from a vessel in an area in the Gulf of Aden that was under attack and may have been boarded. "Vessels transiting the area are advised to exercise extreme caution," UKMTO said, without giving more details. The hijacking comes days after pirates hijacked an Indian dhow that was on route to Bossaso from Dubai. Somali pirates hijacked an oil tanker in March, the first such seizure of a vessel since 2012, but released it after a clash with the marine force in Puntland. Shipowners have become less wary of piracy after a long period of calm off the Horn of Africa, experts say, and some have started using a route known as the Socotra Gap, between Somalia and Socotra Island, to save time and costs. The route is considered riskier than others. (Reuters)

Somali pirates suspected of hijacking bulk carrier ship: Security source