The UAE Coast Guard rescued 24 people from an oil tanker after it collided with another vessel in the Gulf of Oman, just east of the Strait of Hormuz.
The crude oil tanker ADALYNN was heading for Egypt’s Suez Canal when the incident occurred early on Tuesday. NASA FIRMS satellite data showed heat signatures in the area around the time of the crash.
Rescue teams reached the site, located about 24 nautical miles from the UAE coast. They moved the crew safely to the port of Khor Fakkan, according to the Emirati National Guard.
No indication of security threat
British maritime security firm Ambrey said the collision did not appear to involve any security threat. The clarification comes as tensions between Israel and Iran continue. Iran is located just across the Strait from Oman.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important oil routes. Around 20 million barrels pass through it each day, based on data from the US Energy Information Administration.
Following Israeli airstrikes on Iran on 13 June, concerns grew that Iran might disrupt shipping in the area.
Shipping companies rethink use of Strait
Many shipowners are taking extra precautions. Some vessels have tightened security. Others have cancelled planned journeys through the Strait. Over the weekend, hundreds of ships in the area experienced irregular navigation signals. Many had to rely on radar instead. It remains unclear what caused Tuesday’s crash.
Last week, The Financial Times reported that Frontline, the world’s largest publicly traded oil tanker company, had stopped accepting new contracts for voyages through the Strait. The decision followed the rise in regional tensions.
Meanwhile, oil prices continued to rise. US futures were lower on Tuesday morning after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning to 330,000 people in Tehran.
This rescue comes shortly after a similar operation. Less than two weeks ago, the UAE National Guard airlifted an injured man from another oil tanker to a hospital in the Emirates.
