The MPA said Singapore was “deeply concerned” about the incident on 14 May in international waters off the UAE when the Transpetrol-managed tanker was fired at by Iranian craft.
“The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has requested the Iranian maritime authorities to investigate the incident and prevent future recurrences,” the MPA said.
“The freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce are of critical importance to Singapore and other maritime and trading nations. Such interference with navigational rights is a serious violation of international law.”
The incident is believed to relate a 21 March accident when the tanker collided with Iran jacket platform in the Middle East Gulf.
It is the second time recently that Iran opened fire on a merchant vessel involved in a dispute, following the seizure of the Maersk Tigris at the end of April.
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