Vessel heads for Iranian waters after boarding incident off UAE

The incident took place about 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, one of the region’s most important bunkering and oil export hubs near the Strait of Hormuz. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it received reports that the vessel had been boarded while at anchor at around 05:45 UTC on Thursday.(14 May) “The CSO has reported that the vessel has been taken by unauthorised personnel whilst at anchor and is now bound for Iranian Territorial Waters,” UKMTO said in an advisory to shipping.

Maritime security consultancy Vanguard also confirmed the incident, saying the vessel was taken by unauthorised personnel and was proceeding toward Iranian waters. No details about the crew, cargo or identity of the ship had been disclosed at the time of reporting.

UKMTO urged vessels operating in the area to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity. Regional naval forces are understood to be monitoring developments.    The seizure also revives memories of previous incidents in which commercial ships were detained or intercepted near the Strait of Hormuz during periods of heightened regional tension.      The incident comes as US President Donald Trump is meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping during a closely watched visit to Beijing, where discussions are expected to include the war with Iran and its growing impact on global trade flows, oil markets and shipping. The incident also emerged just hours after Israel said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had quietly visited the UAE during the conflict, although Emirati officials quickly denied that any such visit had taken place.