VLCC Attacked off Aden
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A Japanese VLCC was reportedly hit by a rocket propelled grenade launched from a small boat 270 miles off the coast of Aden. There appear to have been no injuries and no fire or explosion. A leak was temporarily patched by the crew and the vessel is said to have continued her ballast voyage from South Korea to the Saudi Arabian Red Sea.
The Chairman of INTERTANKO’s main governing body, meeting on Monday in Istanbul, voiced the opinion of the whole of the Association’s Council, when he said that this regrettable incident highlights the real concerns felt by tanker owners that such an attack can happen to a vessel at sea on a major international trade route.
The International Maritime Bureau’s piracy reporting center has warned shipping companies that “All vessels transiting the Gulf of Aden are advised to take additional precautionary measures and maintain a strict 24 hours anti-piracy visual and radar. Look out for small suspicious boats converging to vessel.”
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