The collision between the vessels Front Eagle and Adalynn occurred just before midnight, writes Norwegian Dagens Næringsliv. The former belongs to the shipping company Frontline, owned by the Norwegian-born shipowner John Fredriksen.
On images in social media, large fires are visible on board the involved vessels. According to AFP, around twenty people have been evacuated and there are no reports of personal injuries.
According to Frontline, the collision is not related to the conflict situation in the region, but in light of the war between Israel and Iran, concern for shipping is growing. Since Israel attacked Iran on Friday, analysts have warned that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz and block the shipping lane. On Saturday, the Iranian state news agency Irinn reported that Iran is "considering" doing just that.
As a result, some shipping companies have increased security on board their vessels and others have changed their routes, writes AFP.
Around a fifth of all the world's oil traffic passes through the Strait of Hormuz off Iran. In addition, significant amounts of gas are transported there daily.
Shipowners will soon be unwilling to send vessels into the Persian Gulf, says shipping analyst Petter Haugen to Dagens Næringsliv.
