Oil tanker ‘hijacked by nine armed men’ as four other vessels ‘lose control of steering’ in Gulf of Oman

A “POTENTIAL hijack” of a ship has taken place in the Gulf, it’s reported.

The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations said a ship called ‘Asphalt Princess’ was involved in the incident off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.

A ship called ‘Asphalt Princess’ was boarded by eight or nine armed people during a “potential hijacking” it’s reported

It’s believed the ship has been seized and armed men have boarded.

Eight or nine armed individuals are feared to have stormed the vessel, Sky News reports.

A security source told Sky: “It was an unauthorised boarding in the Gulf of Oman.”

Omani Royal Air Force C-295 maritime patrol aircraft are currently over the reported location off Fujairah, it’s reported.

The area in the Arabian Sea leads to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil exports flow.

It comes after secret files reportedly revealed Iran is plotting cyber attacks to sink cargo ships and blow up petrol stations.