Explosions hit Iranian suezmax in possible terrorist attack

A fully laden Iranian suezmax belonging to NITC has been hit by two explosions in the Red Sea, while en route to Syria, with vast quantities of crude gushing from its breached hull. The identity of the ship remains unclear with different reports suggesting it was either the Sinopa or the Sabity that had been struck this morning.

The ship is the third Iranian ship to run into trouble in the area in the last six months with two other tankers breaking down near Saudi Arabia.

Local media in Tehran are reporting the suezmax was struck near Jeddah by two missiles with the ship’s owner suggesting the tanker had been hit by a terrorist attack. The ship has been stabilised by its crew, who are all reported to be safe.

In the last six months tanker tensions between Iran and the west have seen a number of ships hit by explosives, and other vessels detained.

News of this latest attack around one of the world’s key oil arteries is expected to send red hot tanker freight rates even higher today, with the $200,000 a day landmark being broken for VLCCs.