Crude tanker Sonangol Namibe's hull likely breached after blast near Iraq port, company representative says

LONDON, March 5 (Reuters) - The Bahamas flagged crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe's hull was likely to have been breached after being hit by blast while anchored near Iraq’s Khor al Zubair port, representative company Sonangol Marine Services said on Thursday.

The vessel was approached by an unknown small vessel at 01:20 local time on March 5.

"The small boat approached the port side of the tanker and a short time later a loud bang was heard," Sonangol Marine Services said in a statement.

"The crew reports that a port ballast tank is losing water which suggests some form of hull breach but the ship remains stable and safely afloat."