CENTCOM Disables Panama-Flagged Container Ship in Gulf of Oman Blockade Enforcement
As of August 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled three non-compliant vessels, and boarded two.
GULF OF OMAN — U.S. Central Command forces disabled the steering gear of the Panama-flagged container ship M/V Vela Nova on August 11 after the vessel’s civilian crew ignored repeated warnings while attempting to transit toward an Iranian port in violation of the U.S. naval blockade.
Missile Hits Container Ship Vela Nova Off Pakistan. Projectile Strike Kills Crew in Bab el-Mandeb
GULF OF OMAN / BAB EL-MANDEB — Two commercial vessels were struck on August 11 in separate incidents confirmed by both the Joint Maritime Information Center and United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.
A U.S. Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two Hellfire missiles into the Vela Nova’s engine room. The ship is no longer transiting to Iran. The blockade remains in full effect.
As of August 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled three non-compliant vessels, and boarded two.
