A vessel believed to be operating as a floating armoury has reportedly been taken by Iranian military personnel in the Gulf of Oman and is now heading toward Iranian territorial waters, according to maritime risk monitoring firm Vanguard.
The ship, identified as the Honduras flagged Hui Chuan, was last tracked about 70 km northeast of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Ship tracking data from MarineTraffic confirms this was its last known position before communication signals stopped.
What Is a Floating Armoury?
The vessel was reportedly used as a floating weapons storage unit for private maritime security teams. These ships allow armed guards to collect and store weapons while protecting commercial vessels.
Seizure in the Gulf Region
Iranian forces are said to have boarded and taken control of the vessel while it was operating near busy shipping lanes. The ship is now reportedly moving toward Iranian controlled waters.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed details about the operation, and information about the crew remains unclear.
Rising Maritime Tensions in the Area
Indian officials confirmed that all crew members were safely rescued and transported to Diba Port by the Oman Coast Guard.
It was carrying livestock when a fire broke out onboard, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel before it sank.
