Tankers

Iran said on Aug. 13 that Britain might free its oil tanker Grace 1 soon, after some documents were exchanged that would help the seized ship's release.

The United States and its allies are discussing plans to provide naval escorts for oil tankers through the Gulf, a top U.S. general said on July 11 after Iranian military vessels menaced a British tanker.

Iran on July 4 condemned the "illegal interception" of one of its oil tankers in Gibraltar where authorities said they suspected it was carrying crude to Syria in violation of EU sanctions.    

Prosecutors in Bulgaria on Friday opened an investigation into the alleged illegal sale of a Libyan oil tanker, after Libya ordered the seizure of Bulgarian ships entering its ports in retaliation, reported AFP.

Bulgarian Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski told Bulgarian national television on Tuesday that the row between Bulgaria and Libya over a detained Libyan vessel is merely a "private legal matter" after Libya threatened to seize all Bulgarian ships that enter its waters.

A Greek-flagged oil tanker run aground in shallow waters at the beach of Kanavas, on the island of Milos, on Wednesday morning, while trying to dock at the pier.

FRES, with a crew of 16 Greek nationals onboard, was sailing from Lesvos to Milos carrying 1,000 tons of fuel oil.

So far, no oil leaks have been reported and the vessel does not appear to be taking in water.

32 people are missing after a collision of an oil tanker and a cargo ship in the East China Sea, the Bulgarian National Radio reported, referring to the Chinese Ministry of Transport, quoted by world agencies.

As the government scrambles to play down the repercussions of a sunken oil tanker that has polluted much of the Athenian coastline, the trial of crew members of a cargo vessel dispatched to help pump the fuel out of the wreck appeared to descend into farce.

Greek health authorities have banned swimming along a long line of popular Athens beaches following extensive sea pollution from the sinking of a small oil tanker five days ago.

The ban covers much of a 20-kilometer (13-mile) stretch from Greece's main port of Piraeus to Glyfada, further south, as well as part of the island of Salamina.

Greek health authorities have banned swimming along a long line of popular Athens beaches following extensive sea pollution from the sinking of a small oil tanker five days ago.

The ban covers much of a 20-kilometer (13-mile) stretch from Greece's main port of Piraeus to Glyfada, further south, as well as part of the island of Salamina.