TEHRAN: Iranian authorities have detained a bulk carrier accused of releasing oil and industrial waste into the Strait of Hormuz, state media reported on Monday.
Esmaeil Makizadeh, deputy head of the Ports and Maritime Department in southern Hormozgan province, said the vessel was seized after images showing an apparent oil discharge were circulated.
Speaking to the official IRNA news agency, Makizadeh said specialist and environmental clean-up teams were sent to the area after the incident was reported. The vessel was subsequently intercepted and taken into custody.
He said the ship, which was transporting sugar, had allegedly discharged a mixture of burnt oil, bilge water and industrial sludge directly into the sea.
Iranian authorities did not disclose the vessel’s flag or the nationalities of its crew.
Makizadeh said the pollution had been removed from the affected waters and that the vessel had been handed over to the judiciary for further legal proceedings.
The seizure comes amid heightened concerns over marine pollution in and around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has recently called for compensation over several oil spills, including incidents reported near Qeshm Island.
An oil slick was also detected off neighbouring Oman in early August after a tanker ran aground. An AFP investigation found that the vessel had remained stranded for weeks near Oman’s Al-Qibliyyah island after suffering damage in explosions.
Iran has retained control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Middle East war in February and has announced plans to impose transit fees on vessels using the waterway, saying the revenue would help finance services including environmental protection.
The proposed charges have been strongly opposed by the United States.
