Statement as of 07.30am UK time 30/07/2021
We can confirm that there has been a suspected Piracy incident onboard the product tanker M/T Mercer Street.
The ship is a Japanese owned vessel managed by our UK based Zodiac Maritime Office. At the time of the incident the vessel was in the northern Indian Ocean, travelling from Dar es Salaam to Fujairah with no cargo onboard.
We are in coordination and liaising with the UK MTO and other relevant authorities.
Updated Statement as of 13.00 UK time 30/07/2021:
With profound sadness, we understand the incident onboard the M/T Mercer Street on 29 July, 2021 has resulted in the deaths of two crew members onboard: a Romanian national and a UK national. We are not aware of harm to any other personnel. Our primary concern remains the safety and wellbeing of everyone onboard and all those affected by the situation. Details of the incident are still being established and an investigation into the incident is currently underway. We continue to work closely with the UKMTO and other relevant authorities. We have no additional details to share at this time.
Updated Statement as of 14.00 UK time 30/07/2021
We can now confirm that the M/T Mercer Street is sailing under the control of her crew and under her own power at 14 knots to a safe location with a US naval escort.
