The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) announced  Thursday, May 4, that, at the Technical Representation Office located in Segumar in Dubai, the Dubai Federal Maritime Authority reported on the possible seizure of the Panamanian registered oil tanker NIOVI.

The events occurred at the time the vessel was transiting through the Strait of Hormuz around 6:20 am locally on Wednesday, May 3. The Panamanian-flagged tanker NIOVI with a ship identification number (IMO) 99292498 is owned by the company Grand Financing Co and operated by Smart Tankers Inc.

According to the entity, it was traveling from Dubai to the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates at the time he was forced to change course toward Iranian territorial waters by the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran (Irgcn).

So far, the reasons that led to the fact are unknown because there is no direct communication with the ship.

However, the entity indicated for the moment the AMP Merchant Marine General Directorate and the operating company are monitoring the situation through the ship's insurers. At the same time, work is being done on the appointment of a local representative (within Iranian territory) so that he can meet the needs of the ship and the 29 crew members of Filipino and Sri Lankan nationality.

The incident occurred after the seizure on April 27, by Iran of another oil tanker, the Marshall Islands-registered MN Advantage Sweet in the Gulf of Oman.

Panama-flagged tanker seized

 The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) announced  Thursday, May 4, that the Dubai Federal Maritime Authority reported on the possible seizure of the Panamanian registered oil tanker NIOVI.

The event occurred at the time the vessel was transiting through the Strait of Hormuz around 6:20 am locally on Wednesday, May 3 . The Panamanian-flagged tanker  with ship identification number (IMO) 99292498 is owned by the company Grand Financing Co and operated by Smart Tankers inc.