DUBAI — Twenty-four crew have been rescued after two oil tankers collided off the UAE, sparking at least one fire, as reported on Tuesday.
The incident, which took place at a time of high tensions due to an air war between nearby countries, was “not security-related.”
A shipping company reported that a fire was extinguished on its tanker after the collision with another oil transporter, 15 nautical miles off the UAE’s Gulf of Oman coast.
“We are aware of reports of a fire onboard the other tanker following the collision,” a statement said, adding: “There have been no reports of pollution at this time.”
The UAE coast guard carried out “an evacuation mission involving 24 crew members of one of the tankers, following a collision between two ships in the Gulf of Oman,” it was posted on social media.
The incident took place close to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a waterway between the Arabian Peninsula and a nearby country that carries one-fifth of global oil output.
About: UAE
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates established on December 2, 1971, located at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula. Before its federation, the region was known as the Trucial States, a collection of sheikhdoms under British protection since the 19th century. Today, the UAE is known for its vast oil and gas reserves, rapid modernization, and iconic structures like the Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.
About: Gulf of Oman
The Gulf of Oman is a strategically significant body of water located in the Arabian Sea, forming part of the Indian Ocean. It is bordered by Iran and Pakistan to the north, Oman to the south, and the United Arab Emirates to the west. Historically, the Gulf of Oman has been a vital maritime route for centuries, serving as a conduit for trade and cultural exchanges between the Middle East, South Asia, and East Africa. The gulf connects to the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical point for global oil transportation.
About: Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most strategically important choke points due to its role as the transit route for a significant portion of global oil shipments. Historically, the strait has been a flashpoint for geopolitical tensions, notably involving oil-exporting countries and global powers interested in maintaining free navigation and security in the region.
About: Arabian Peninsula
The Arabian Peninsula, located in Southwest Asia, is a vast landmass bordered by the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf. Historically, it is known as the birthplace of Islam, with the Prophet Muhammad founding the religion in the 7th century in the cities of Mecca and Medina, which remain central religious sites for Muslims worldwide. This region is characterized by its arid desert landscape, but it also plays a crucial global role due to its vast reserves of oil and natural gas.
