Tanker Catches Fire Near Strait of Hormuz

Photo courtesy UAE Federal Transport Authority

A fire broke out on board a VLCC tanker near the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, although reports indicate that the fire started during maintenance work and no foul play is suspected. 

UAE officials report that the fire started on the Panamanian-flagged ship as it was about 21 miles off the coast of Sharjah, UAE. 

A statement from the UAE’s Federal Transport Authority for Land & Maritime, said the tanker wasn’t carrying any cargo at the time and initial indications showed the fire was accidentally started during maintenance work.

The website TankerTrackers reports that the ship in question is the ZOYA 1, a 24-year-old VLCC.

Video posted online shows smoke coming from the tanker and a slight list to starboard:

Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime (FTA) stated that the UAE authorities are working to put out a fire that broke out aboard an oil tanker 21 miles off the cost of Sharjah after receiving a distress message. A proper investigation is in progress. pic.twitter.com/HE5pEDrUyj

— Jaber Al Lamki (@jallamki) January 29, 2020

The incident evokes last year’s attacks on tankers in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman suspected by Iran. 

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