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Iran Escalates As Masked Hijackers Seize Oil Tanker
The tanker formerly known as the Suez Rajan was carrying a cargo of Iraqi crude through the Gulf of Oman on Thursday when four or five men wearing black masks boarded the vessel. It was diverted. To Iran.
Last year, Empire Navigation Inc, the vessel's owner, was forced into a deferred prosecution agreement with the US government, which accused the Greek shipping company of violating sanctions on the transportation of Iranian oil. As part of the deal, Empire decided to hand over nearly a million
I need some help from a willing co-reader. Why don’t tankers have a dozen armed private security? I would think the Blackwater boys would be itching to get into a firefight with the Iranians, Houthis, or other pirates? Surely the value of the cargo would justify it. Thanks in advance.
You need a security team big enough to cover all approaches to the ship 24 hours a day. This includes rest time for the off watch people. Salary plus meals. Some ships don’t have the extra berthing space for the extra people. The weapons and equipment can complicate customs and entry – sometimes resulting in additional costs for “importing” equipment. Insurance costs will still be elevated in a hostile zone even with a security team aboard. The cost of all these things gets added up and compared to the extra cost of fuel and time for changing the route to a safer one (like going around the Cape). In the end, its just a financial decision for the shipping company. If somebody pledges to make the cheaper route safe for “free” by sending combatants then, well… great for the shipping company.
Thanks. Appreciate the color.