Iran moored a Greek-owned tanker in the Strait of Hormuz early Wednesday morning.

This is the supertanker (VLCC) Niovi connected to shipping company Smart Tankers. According to maritime circles, the tanker has been docked for maintenance and after their completion, on Wednesday, while sailing without cargo, he was captured by Iranian troops.

Sources in the Greek Ministry of Shipping tell Kathimerini that they are closely following the developments in order to protect the interests of Greece, within their competence.

International shipping sources link Tehran’s energy to retaliation for last week’s arrest in international waters, pursuant to a warrant issued on appeal by the United States, a tanker also owned by Greek interests (Suez Rajan, Empire Navigation interests of St. Molaris) believed to be carrying Iranian oil. In addition, a few days after the Suez Rajan incident, Iranian authorities arrested the Advantage Sweet, citing a collision with a local fishing boat and another tanker purporting to represent Turkish interests.

According to TradeWinds, citing the Equasis shipping database, Niovi is owned by Grand Finance Co, which is based in Piraeus and is associated with Smart Tankers, the interests of D. Baku and G. Kaymenakis group.

Recall that last year, two tankers of Greek interests, “Prudent Warrior” and “Delta of Poseidon”together with their crews remained in custody in Tehran for almost six months. The reason for this incident was again the arrest by the Greek authorities of another tanker carrying Iranian oil, after the appeal of the Americans. Ultimately, the decision of the Greek courts had to be reversed, and the tanker seized by the Greek authorities was released before the Iranians began to free the Prudent Warrior and Delta Poseidon.

US Navy statement

The US Navy announced on Wednesday morning that the 309,164 dwt VLCC Niovi (built 2005), surrounded by fast attack aircraft of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Iran around 6:20 am. local time, leaving Dubai and heading to Fujairah. Iranian ships forced the ship to change course towards Fujairah and enter Iranian territorial waters.

“Iran’s continued harassment of ships and interference with navigational rights in regional waters is unreasonable, irresponsible, and poses a threat to maritime security and the global economy,” US Central Command said in a statement.

Niovi arrested six days after Iranian takeover of Advantage Sweet (built 2012), 159,000 dwt.. Tehran claimed at the time that the tanker had collided with an Iranian fishing vessel, but several sources said the hijacking was in retaliation for a US court decision to issue an arrest warrant for the 159,000 dwt Suez Rajan (built in 2011), which was allegedly carrying Iranian oil. .

The US Navy stated that 15th case of harassment, attack or interference by Iranian forces against merchant ships over the past two years.