News | UAE
Attack ruled out in Hormuz tanker incident
Investigations under way to determine cause of damage as vessel carrying crude arrives in Fujairah port for repairs
- WAM and Agencies
- Published: 21:48 July 28, 2010
- Image Credit: WAM
- A dent is visible in the side of the M. Star after it docked at Fujairah Port yesterday.
Dubai (WAM & AFP) The M. Star oil tanker which suffered damage in the Strait of Hormuz yesterday reached Fujairah port for repairs. An official source ruled out the tanker had been attacked.
UAE port officials earlier said the ship was hit by a tremor-triggered wave.
Japanese oil tanker damaged by tremor in Oman
Mousa Murad, Director of Fujairah Port, earlier said the tanker would be refuelled and its ability to navigate by itself would be checked.
Authorities are conducting investigations to establish the cause of the incident. The tanker was heading to Japan from the port of Al Ruwais in the UAE. The M. Star is operated by Mitsui OSK Lines.
Some reports said Japan’s transport ministry suspected an attack on the tanker.
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Suspicions
“Since one of the crew saw a flash on the horizon immediately before the blast, the company suspects it was highly likely an attack,” the ministry was quoted as saying.
The ministry said one crew member was injured and the ship was partly damaged but able to keep sailing.
Junto Endoh, general manager in the Doha liaison office for Mitsui OSK Lines, said the damage was caused by “maybe an attack, not a spontaneous accident; it may be a terrorist attack.”
The vessel — crewed by 16 Filipinos and 15 Indians — was carrying 270,000 tonnes of crude but did not suffer a spill.
Initial assessment from Mitsui OSK Lines was that one life boat was blown off the ship and there was some damage to the starboard hatches.
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