Israeli-linked diesel tanker hit by ‘projectile’ off Oman
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The Pacific Zircon, carrying diesel, was hit by a “projectile” roughly 240km from the Omani coast.
PHOTO: MARINE TRAFFIC
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DUBAI - An oil tanker linked to an Israeli billionaire was attacked with a rocket off Oman on Tuesday night.
The Pacific Zircon, carrying diesel, was hit by a “projectile” roughly 240km from the Omani coast at about 7.30pm local time on Tuesday, according to a statement from Eastern Pacific Shipping, which owns the vessel.
“There are no reports of injuries or pollution,” Singapore-based Eastern Pacific said. “All crew are safe and accounted for. There is some minor damage to the vessel’s hull, but no spillage of cargo or water ingress.”
Brent crude rose on the news, gaining 0.5 per cent to US$94.40 a barrel as of 10.05am in London on Wednesday.
Eastern Pacific is ultimately owned by Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer. The Associated Press earlier reported that the ship was hit by a drone. AP cited an unidentified defence official.
There was a spate of shipping attacks in the region in the few years leading up to early 2022. Many were blamed on Iran and came amid rising tension between Teheran and the US and Israel.
The US activated a maritime force with some of its allies in 2019 to help protect sea lanes in the Middle East.
The Pacific Zircon was last seen signalling its position in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday evening, according to ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.
The tanker loaded at Kuwait’s Mina Abdullah port on Nov 6 and sailed for Sohar in Oman. It moored at the Omani port and appeared to deliver a small amount of fuel before sailing away towards Buenos Aires on Nov 14.
The US Fifth Fleet, based in Bahrain, and the UK’s Maritime Trade Operations, which monitors shipping in the region, said they were aware of a incident in the Gulf of Oman.
The Israeli Defence Ministry didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. BLOOMBERG
