UAE ADDED TO INSURERS JOINT WAR COMMITTEE RISK LIST FOLLOWING TANKER ATTACKS

Following the 12 May sabotage attacks on four tankers off Fujairah the LMA Joint War Commission (JWC) has added the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to its listed areas for Hull War, Piracy, Terrorism and Related Perils.

The decision by the JWC was taken on Friday, following a meeting earlier in the week where it had deferred a decision on amending its list of war risk areas.

“Very little information is to hand about the explosions at Fujairah anchorage on 12th May and the circumstances and methods employed remain unclear. There is no doubt that considerable damage was done and there will be significant claims,” the JWC said.

“The JWC has met to review the situation and in the light of further information, has updated the Listed Areas to reflect the perceived heightened risk across the region. The situation will be kept under close review.”

The move by insurers does not automatically impact insurance rates on vessels calling in the UAE and application in contracts is a matter for individual negotiation.

http://www.seatrade-maritime.com/news/middle-east-africa/uae-added-to-insurers-joint-war-committee-risk-list-following-tanker-attacks.html

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SAUDI ARABIA WARNS IRAN IT WILL RESPOND ‘WITH ALL STRENGTH TO ATTACKS’ AS US INCREASES GULF PATROLS

Saudi Arabia has said it does not want war but stands ready to respond with “all strength” to defend itself against Iran, as the US stepped up naval exercises in the Persian Gulf.

“The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not seek that… but at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests,” foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir said.

“We want peace and stability in the region but we won’t stand with our hands bound as the Iranians continuously attack. Iran has to understand that.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-iran-war-trump-oil-attack-us-navy-gulf-a8921211.html

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U.S. INTEL INDICATES IRAN BEHIND TANKER SABOTAGE

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS WARNING ARMED CONFLICT WITH IRAN WOULD BE THE COUNTRY’S ‘OFFICIAL END.’

Tanker sabotage. American intelligence officials have concluded that it is “highly likely” that Iran was responsible for attacks on four oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, NBC reports.

The attacks, which were carried out using explosive charges, have contributed to increasing tensions in the region, with the United States deploying a carrier strike group and B-52 bombers in a bid to deter any Iranian attacks on American interests in the Middle East, in the wake of ramped-up U.S. sanctions pressure.

https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/05/20/u-s-intel-indicates-iran-behind-tanker-sabotage/