An aframax tanker caught up in the attacks off Fujairah in May 2019 has been boarded by thieves while under tow to a scrapyard in the Indian subcontinent.
The 105,084-dwt Morbius (ex-Al Marzoqah, built 1999) was being towed by the tug Allianz Titanium off the coast of Gujarat in northwest India when the incident occurred.
A fishing boat with nine people on board is said to have approached the tanker, according to UK-based security consultant Gray Page.
Two of the nine are said to have boarded the former Saudi-owned vessel, the other individuals are reported to have remained in the boat.
The Indian Coast Guard sent a vessel to investigate the incident and were able to detain the two intruders and their seven companions.
In December 2019, marine police in Gujarat reported intruders had boarded a ship in the Gulf of Kutch and stolen barrels of diesel oil, according to Gray Page.
The Morbius was one of four tankers that were badly damaged in the attack that took place off the United Arab Emirates port of Fujairah in May 2019.
They were anchored or operating off Fujairah when they suffered significant hull damage from explosive devices, believed to be limpet mines, that were attached to their hulls.
US and other investigations placed blame on agents acting on behalf of Iran, something that the Islamic Republic has consistently denied.
The Al Marzoqah suffered serious damage below its waterline and was subsequently written off as a constructive total loss as costly repairs were deemed to be economically unviable.
Last month TradeWinds reported that ship had been sold to undisclosed shipbreakers for $348 per ldt, or $5.9m, according to broking reports.
