10 March 2014, News Wires – Libya is to quickly form a military taskforce to win back key oil ports currently under rebel control, according to a report.
The move comes after a North Korea-flagged tanker completed the loading of oil at Es Sider, prompting calls for the crew members’ arrest and for the ship to be bombed.
Reuters reported that a decree issued by the General National Congress on Monday read: “The military operation to fulfil this task will start within one week.”
Prime Minister Ali Zeidan ordered the arrest of the crew on board the vessel, named as Morning Glory, after it docked at the port east of Tripoli on Saturday. UK broadcaster BBC reported on Monday that Libyan authorities had threatened to blow it up.
Reuters reported later on Monday that the ship has finished loading a $30 million cargo of oil but that it remained at port.
The 35,583-deadweight-tonne Morning Glory does not appear on numerous shipping databases, but one shows that it was named Gulf Glory and flew the Liberian flag up until at least October last year. It was then sold to unidentified interests, another database shows.
Some reports indicate that it is currently owned by Saudi Arabian interests.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation also said on Monday that production has resumed at the giant El Sharara field following a series of worker disputes.
Output is currently 150,000 barrels per day but will reach full capacity of 340,000 bpd on Tuesday.
– Upstream