A Greek-owned oil tanker experienced an external explosion off the coast of Oman on Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The incident occurred approximately 60 nautical miles from Muscat, the capital of Oman.
Details of the Incident
The UKMTO reported that the vessel, identified as the Olympic Life, sustained an explosion on its port side near the waterline. Despite the impact, the crew is reported to be safe. However, the tanker disclosed that some bunker fuel had been discharged into the sea as a result of the blast. The cause of the explosion remains unknown at this time.
Vessel Information
According to MarineTraffic vessel-tracking data, the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) was sailing past Muscat at around 0700 GMT, heading out of the Gulf of Oman. The ship was not carrying any cargo at the time of the incident. The Olympic Life is owned by Olympic Shipping & Management, an Athens-based company that succeeded Olympic Management, which was originally founded by the late shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, as noted on the Onassis Foundation’s website. The company could not be immediately reached for comment.
Response and Investigation
The UKMTO has not provided further details on the nature of the explosion or any potential suspects. Authorities are likely to investigate the incident, given the geopolitical tensions in the region. The Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters have been areas of concern for maritime security in recent years.
