Read Authentic Ratings for the Athe-Nova

In a surprising turn of events, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran has announced an attack on the bitumen tanker 'Athe Nova', which is currently situated off the coast of Khor Fakkan. This vessel, known for its role in facilitating Iranian energy shipping, has previously docked at the Iranian port of Soroosh as well as ports in Oman. Reports indicate that the 'Athe Nova' purportedly attempted to make an 'illegal' crossing of the critical Strait of Hormuz when it was struck by two drones. Moments prior to the incident, the vessel displayed AIS movement patterns suggestive of a distress situation or loitering behavior near the Strait. At 28 years old, the 'Athe Nova' is considered to be operating well past the typical commercial lifespan of a tanker. Notably, this ship has a comprehensive history of inspections and detentions, with Port State Control (PSC) inspectors identifying safety issues each time since 2015. The most recent inspection took place in India in 2023, where concerns were raised about hatches, deck corrosion, lifeboats, drills, and the safety of electrical equipment.