An oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire reportedly came under fire off the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea.
At least two crew members were killed during the incident.
The attack was “possibly carried out by a drone,” Dryad Maritime Security reported.
The reported attack took place approximately 300 kilometres (185 miles) southeast of Oman’s capital, Muscat.
The vessel, called M/T Mercer Street, was travelling from Dar es Salaam via Tanzania to Fujairah in the UAE with “no cargo on board” when the incident occurred, the shipping company said in its statement.
“We continue to work closely with the UK MOT (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) and other relevant authorities,” the statement added.
British Investigation into Incident
The British military’s the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said an investigation was underway into the incident.
“We are aware of reports of an attack on a merchant vessel off the coast of Oman,” the Ministry of Defence in London said in a short statement.
“UK military headquarters in the region are currently conducting investigations.”
The statement did not elaborate, other than to say that it suspected the attack did not involve piracy.
The British Defense Ministry identified the nationality of the ship’s owners but did not elaborate further.
Zodiac Maritime said it was “a suspected piracy incident” involving the tanker Mercer Street, a Japanese-owned vessel managed by London-based Zodiac.
“At the time of the incident, the vessel was in the northern Indian Ocean, travelling from Dar es Salaam to Fujairah with no cargo on board,” it added.
“We are in coordination and liaising with the UKMTO and other relevant authorities.”
