Report: Hijacked Tanker Linked to Iran’s “Shadow Fleet”

Washington — The New York Times reported that the oil tanker seized by Somali pirates off Yemen’s coast is suspected of ties to Iran’s clandestine “shadow fleet.”

Maritime security agencies said the vessel, SIBU 1, sailing under the Eritrean flag, issued a distress call after armed men approached about 136 nautical miles east of the Yemeni port city of Mukalla.

According to the EU’s anti-piracy mission in the Indian Ocean, six gunmen boarded the tanker and redirected it toward Somalia. 

The Times, citing a global oil shipping monitoring firm, noted the vessel is believed to be part of a covert network used to transport Iranian crude to international markets.

The United States sanctioned SIBU 1 last December, designating it as part of Iran’s “shadow fleet” accused of disguising shipments of petroleum products. 

Tracking data indicated the tanker had regularly delivered fuel to a facility at Ras Issa port in Yemen, controlled by Houthi forces.

While EU officials said the crew was unharmed, the Times reported uncertainty over the fate of the 20 crew members.

The hijacking comes amid a resurgence of Somali piracy. Port officials confirmed pirates are currently holding six vessels and more than 100 crew members. 

In a separate incident, Somali authorities said the Cameroon-flagged cargo ship Lotof, seized Monday, was carrying weapons from Turkey bound for Mogadishu.