The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported Thursday that a commercial vessel was boarded by unauthorized personnel while anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates near the Strait of Hormuz. The incident occurred approximately 38 nautical miles (70 kilometers) northeast of the UAE’s Fujairah oil export terminal. Following the boarding, the vessel was reportedly heading toward Iranian territorial waters.
According to the BBC, citing maritime risk-management company Vanguard, the vessel was identified as the Honduras-flagged Hui Chuan. Ship-tracking data confirmed the vessel’s last position northeast of Fujairah on May 13, and records indicate it had been operating in waters off Oman and the UAE for the preceding month. Vanguard reported that the ship’s operators described the Hui Chuan as a floating armory, storing weapons for security firms that protect commercial vessels from pirate attacks.
Floating armories are privately operated ships stationed in international waters to allow armed security personnel to embark and disembark firearms, ammunition, and related equipment, while complying with port and territorial regulations. Such vessels have been used for years in areas including the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and Gulf of Oman to counter piracy threats. The UKMTO did not disclose the identity of those involved in the boarding, referring only to “unauthorized personnel,” and authorities continue to investigate.
The Hui Chuan incident comes amid a series of recent maritime confrontations in the region. Since February 2026, Iranian forces have seized at least two other ships, including the Panamanian-flagged MSC Francesca and Epaminondes, and an Indian-flagged livestock carrier, the Haji Ali, was attacked off Oman on May 13. The Haji Ali sank following a suspected explosion, though all 14 crew members were rescued by Omani authorities. India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack as “unacceptable” and called for an investigation.
The seizure of the Hui Chuan coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. A U.S. readout of the summit emphasized that both leaders agreed the Strait of Hormuz must remain open to ensure the free flow of energy. As of Thursday, no additional details about the Hui Chuan’s crew, cargo, or claims of responsibility had been released, and maritime organizations continue to advise heightened vigilance for vessels operating in the area.