A National Iranian Tanker Co (NITC) VLCC has suffered a technical breakdown in the Red Sea near Saudi port of Yanbu.

According to local reports it sent a distress signal yesterday. The NITC has told the Iranian Oil Ministry that the 317,000-dwt Helm (built 2008) is undergoing repairs and is in stable condition.

“The crew of the tanker are busy fixing the defect and the vessel is in a stable situation from the safety standpoint,” NITC technical director Akbar Jabalameli said, according to Iranian news reports on Twitter.