A Chinese-owned oil tanker was attacked near the Strait of Hormuz, sparking a fire aboard the vessel. This marks the first known incident involving a Chinese-owned vessel in the region since the start of the US-Israel-Iran war.
The incident was reported by Chinese media outlet Caixin which stated the it occurred off the coast of the UAE near Mina Saqr. Markings painted on the vessel read “CHINA OWNER & CREW.”
China’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that an oil products tanker carrying 22 crew members of Chinese nationality was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel has been identified by maritime security agencies as the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker JV Innovation though it has not been officially confirmed. The vessel caught fire on deck on Monday 4 May.
The tanker remains operational, with all crew still on board and reported safe.
The JV Innovation is a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker built in 2004. It has a length of 180 metres, a beam of 32.2 metres, and a gross tonnage of 29,219.
