Another tanker hijacked.

[adam2]

Reports state that a tanker has been hijacked by a number of armed men in the Gulf of Oman and ordered to sail to Iran.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-58078506

Other reports earlier today stated that four tankers in the area were "not under command" this usually suggests mechanical failure resulting in loss of propulsion and steering.
Four vessels suffering such failures in the same area and on the same day is rather suspicious.

[adam2]

Reports on TV news at about 22-00 confirm the above, but also state that although the ship has been ORDERED to sail to Iran, that it is in fact NOT moving significantly. According to a ship tracking service.
Engine failure ?
Engine sabotaged by officers or crew to prevent hijacking ?
Engine broken by hijackers who did not know how to operate it ?

Or perhaps crew retreated to a citadel, strong room, or emergency refuge, from which they can control the ship even if hijackers are running amok throughout the rest of the ship.

Update to add that.
Tracking data at about 23-30 UK time shows the ship moving at only 1 knot.
Second update to add that at about 03-00 UK time that indicated speed is only 0.5 knots.
Third update at about 04-00 UK time vessel status is shown as "stopped"

[adam2]

Hijacking now reported to be over, "hijackers reported to have left the ship".
[flash=]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-58083671[/flash]

Very little detail. Were the hijackers removed by force ? Who were they ?

[PS_RalphW]

Reports that the crew disabled the ships engines, and the hijackers left when they could not control the ship