At least 150 crude oil and LNG tankers have dropped anchor in the open  Persian Gulf 

The Maritime Security Centre of Oman announced that the Skylight, (IMO 9330020, MMSI 511101102 )an oil tanker sailing under the flag of the Republic of Palau, was targeted approximately five nautical miles (9.26 kilometers) north of Khasab Port. In a statement shared on X, the Omani authorities confirmed that there were 20 crew members on board, 15 of whom were Indian nationals and 5 of whom were Iranian nationals. They were all evacuated. At least four people were hurt and had to go to the hospital for treatment, according to preliminary information. The oil tanker, which is flagged in Palau, is reportedly under US sanctions.

 At least 150 crude oil and LNG tankers have dropped anchor in the open sea.

Meanwhile as expected following the outbreak of conflict in Iran and the threatened blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, maritime traffic to and from the Persian Gulf has come to a halt. At least 150 crude oil and LNG tankers have dropped anchor in the open sea. 

The MSC Euribia

 Other vessels, including passenger ships like the MSC Euribia, were left stranded in Dubai and other Persian Gulf portsThe Italian tourists who are stranded on the ship due to the ongoing war are safe, but apprehensive nonetheless. "The ship's crew is doing everything they can," they told ANSA, "but frankly, we don't feel completely safe." The moment of greatest concern came when some passengers on deck saw flashes and heard anti-aircraft fire likely intercepting drones and missiles heading toward the city. The alarm went off on many people's phones just after midnight. According to some Sardinian cruise passengers, there were only a few people on deck at the time, and there

Almost all of the passengers were scheduled to depart from Doha for Fiumicino today. They were informed that the situation remains unchanged and that the ship's staff is awaiting updates from the local authorities before leaving port.

Due to the current situation 

Due to the current situation and the closure of airspace in the Middle East region, MSC Cruises announced that the MSC Euribia will remain docked in the Port of Dubai. This decision was made to ensure the safety of our guests and crew." The next cruise, which was scheduled to depart from Doha, Qatar on March 1, has been canceled, and all affected guests have been informed. MSC Cruises is monitoring and reviewing all of its operations in the region and is in constant contact with local and national authorities, as well as its partners."

Six cruise ships

Six cruise ships are currently stranded between Port Rashid in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha. The MSC Euribia, Celestyal Discovery, and Celestyal Journey, which are operated by Celestyal Cruises, as well as the Aroya, which is operated by the Saudi Arabian cruise line Aroya Cruises, are also stranded

Reuters news agency estimates, based on ship-tracking data from the MarineTraffic platform, show that many oil tankers are concentrated in open waters off the coasts of major Gulf oil producers, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and LNG giant Qatar.

MSC's announcement

 Meanwhile MSC has announced that, like other carriers, they will inform customers as soon as more details become available on possible alternatives for safely unloading cargo. Additionally, the Swiss global carrier announced the suspension of all shipping reservations to and from the Middle East as a precautionary measure, pending further developments.

The French shipping company CMA CGM 

The French shipping company CMA CGM immediately introduced an emergency conflict surcharge ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 for each container shipped to or from Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Yemen, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt (Port of Ain Sokhna), Djibouti, Sudan, and Eritrea.

Related : Maersk :Suspend operations for all vessels Crossing the Strait of Hormuz

#CMA CGM #MSC #Aroya Cruises #. MSC Cruises #MSC Euribia #ANSA #Persian Gulf #Skylight #Palau # ship carrying oil  # Strait of Hormuz,