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The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has issued a warning to mariners of an incident involving a tanker and military forces in the Gulf of Oman. According to reports, the incident occurred in waters near Gwador, Pakistan, sparking concerns among international shipping organizations.
The UKMTO, a British military-run organization that provides guidance and support to mariners in the region, issued a Maritime Security Alert (MSA-201) on June 8, detailing the incident. The alert did not specify the identity of the tanker, but reported that it was a “vessel in the vicinity of 23° 42′ N, 064° 03′ E,” an area in the Gulf of Oman approximately 18 nautical miles west of the port city of Gwada, Pakistan.
According to the alert, the vessel came under fire from military forces, although there were no reports of casualties or significant damage to the ship. The UKMTO advised all mariners in the region to exercise extreme caution and to report any incidents or suspicious activity to the British authorities immediately.
The Gulf of Oman, a strategically located body of water connecting the Strait of Hormuz to the Arabian Sea, has seen a rise in maritime security incidents over the past few years. In 2019, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took control of the British-flagged tanker, Stena Impero, for alleged maritime violations. The tanker was eventually released after several weeks of detention.
Since then, the region has seen a string of incidents involving attacks and hijackings of oil tankers and other commercial vessels. The most notable recent incident was the sabotage of several oil tankers off the coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), in 2019.
Shipping organizations and maritime experts have expressed concerns over the increase in security incidents in the Gulf of Oman, which could pose risks to international trade and regional stability. “This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security risks faced by mariners operating in the region,” said a spokesperson for the UK’s Chamber of Shipping.
The British government, through the UKMTO, has pledged to provide support and guidance to mariners operating in the Gulf of Oman. The alert urges mariners to take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety and security.