News

Experts comment on hijacked Saudi oil tanker

(19 November 2008)

The hijacking of a Saudi tanker highlights security issues in the Gulf oil industry, a Durham University expert says.

Dr Christopher Davidson, an expert on Gulf politics, in the School of Government and International Affairs, said: “The Arabian Sea and the Straits of Hormuz are without doubt the jugular of the international oil trade. For years, pirates plundering off the coast of east Africa have made the route one of the most treacherous in the world. “With the seizure of an oil tanker manned by an international crew, global media attention has been turned to the precariousness of the situation and the physical security vulnerabilities of the Gulf oil industry.” Professor Rodney Wilson, an expert on the politics of Saudi Arabia and the security of oil supply, in the School of Government and International Affairs, said: “The Saudis are clearly very annoyed, but they can't do much and bribing the hijackers to stop these activities would be counter-productive. “The US and France have the capacity to act, as the French did a few weeks ago to release French citizens whose luxury boat was captured in the same area. Both, however, are likely to be very cautious.”