''M. Star'' is a

VLCC An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a ship designed for the bulk transport of oil or its products. There are two basic types of oil tankers: crude tankers and product tankers. Crude tankers move large quantities of unrefined crud ...

oil tanker An oil tanker, also known as a petroleum tanker, is a ship designed for the bulk cargo, bulk transport of petroleum, oil or its products. There are two basic types of oil tankers: crude tankers and product tankers. Crude tankers move large quant ...

operated by the Japanese company

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (; abbreviated MOL) is a Japanese transport company headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. Founded as a key part of the Mitsui ''zaibatsu'' (family-owned ...

. It was launched in December 2008.

July 2010 event

The ''M. Star'' was damaged by an explosion on 27 July 2010, injuring one member of the ship's crew. The UAE initially said the ''M. Star'' was damaged by a "

freak wave A rogue wave is an abnormally large ocean wave. Rogue wave may also refer to: * Optical rogue waves, are rare pulses of light analogous to rogue or freak ocean waves. * Rogue Wave Software, a software company * Rogue Wave (band), an American indi ...

" from an earthquake. Mitsui officials said, however, that they believed the explosion was caused by a terrorist attack. In August, the UAE said the blast was probably caused by an attack, possibly a suicide bomber in a speedboat. Radar had picked up a suspicious craft near the tanker just before the attack, and traces of explosives were found on the hull. On November 22, 2010, the

United States Maritime Administration The United States Maritime Administration (MARAD) is an Government agency#United States, agency of the United States Department of Transportation. MARAD administers financial programs to develop, promote, and operate the United States Maritime ...

confirmed that the blast was the result of a terrorist attack.U.S. warns ships of confirmed terror threat
CNN.com, November 22, 2010

References

Oil tankers Tankers of Japan Terrorist incidents against shipping Ship bombings Maritime incidents in 2010 Terrorist incidents in Asia in 2010 2008 ships {{Merchantship-stub