Tanker seized by Iran was at the centre of a cargo dispute

The seizure of a VLCC by Iranian authorities could be linked to a multi-party cargo dispute or a ship-to-ship transfer three years ago involving a tanker later hit by US sanctions.

The 309,000-dwt Niovi (built 2005) became the second tanker within days seized by Iranian authorities after it was swarmed by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fast-attack vessels on Wednesday and forced into the country’s territorial waters.