Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Herby

In a decisive maritime operation, the USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) of the U.S. Navy successfully intercepted the NITC-owned tanker, Herby, known for its Iran-bound cargo. This significant action comes after the vessel engaged in a covert ship-to-ship (STS) transfer, transferring a substantial load of two million barrels of crude oil in close proximity to Riau. Following this clandestine transfer, the Herby's return journey was abruptly halted off the Iranian coast after a span of 12 days at sea. The U.S. Navy’s enforcement of a blockade on Iranian crude underscores its ongoing commitment to countering unlawful maritime activities and upholding international maritime law.

In a dramatic encounter in the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb, an Iranian oil tanker named Hoda was targeted by a band of pirates. These attackers, armed with rocket-propelled grenades and navigating on speedboats, made a brazen attempt to hijack the vessel. However, the skilled personnel of the Iranian Navy swiftly intervened, compelling the pirates to abandon their endeavor and retreat. This event underscores the ongoing threat of piracy in the region. The Iranian Navy has been proactive in countering such maritime crimes since November 2008, following a notorious incident where Somali pirates hijacked the Iranian-chartered cargo ship, MV Delight, off the Yemeni coast. Their sustained anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden demonstrate Iran's commitment to safeguarding its maritime interests.