A ship was seized off the coast of the UAE near the Strait of Hormuz, with reports suggesting it may have been operating as a ‘floating armory’ for maritime security.
A ship was seized off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) near the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning, according to the British military. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel while it was approximately 38 nautical miles northeast of the UAE’s oil export terminal in Fujairah.
Following the seizure, UKMTO observed the ship heading toward Iranian territorial waters. However, British authorities have not disclosed the identity of the ship or the individuals responsible for the boarding.
Despite the lack of official confirmation, the BBC reported that the vessel in question is the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan. Citing the risk-management company Vanguard, the BBC noted that the ship’s operators indicated it was functioning as a “floating armory,” providing defensive support for ships navigating the Strait against potential pirate attacks.
This incident marks a continuation of maritime tensions in the region, as at least two other vessels have been seized in the Strait of Hormuz since February. In April, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) captured the Panamanian-flagged MSC Francesca and the Epaminondes.
Fox News Digital reached out to both UKMTO and Vanguard for additional information but did not receive an immediate response.
According to BBC, the situation highlights ongoing security concerns in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.