The British Maritime Trade Operations Authority and a maritime security company said today, Friday, that a ship was exposed to an explosion in the Gulf of Oman yesterday.
According to Dryad Global, a maritime security company, the ship in question is MV HELIOS RAY, owned by HELIOS RAY, an Israeli company registered in the Isle of Man. Between the United Kingdom and Ireland, and was on its way to Singapore from Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
"It is understood that the ship was approximately 44 nautical miles northwest (the capital of the Sultanate), Muscat, when the explosion occurred," she added. "It appears that the ship was returning to the port of origin."
She also said, "While the details of the incident are still unclear, there remains a realistic possibility that the accident was the result of activity similar to that of the Iranian army."
A spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Transport stated that they had no information about an Israeli ship that was hit by an explosion in the Gulf.
For its part, the US Fifth Fleet stationed in Bahrain said it was aware of the incident and was monitoring the situation.
"Investigations are underway. The ship is safe and the crew is fine," the notice said, noting that the accident occurred at 20:40 GMT, without giving details of the cause of the explosion.
He also stated, "The vessels sailing in the region have been advised to exercise caution."