Two tankers halted from leaving Yemen

Two tankers owned by Singapore’s Ocean Tankers have been halted from leaving a rebel-held port in Yemen due to a commercial dispute, reports say.

The LR1 tankers Chao Hu (73,600 dwt, built 2008) and Hong Ze Hu (74,000 dwt, built 2007) are carrying crude oil to the country, which is dependent on imports.

“The vessels themselves are not under arrest but have unfortunately been caught up in a commercial dispute between cargo interests,” Ocean Tankers told AFP in a statement.

“The dispute is nothing to do with Ocean Tankers or our ships and we hope the dispute can be settled quickly,” the company said.

Chao Hu and Hong Ze Hu have been anchored in the Red Sea for at least four months, according to AIS data.