A supertanker carrying about $200m (£125m; 146m euros) worth of crude oil has been hijacked off the coast of Oman, the vessel's Greek operator says.
Athens-based shipping company Enesel said they had lost communication with the Irene SL.
The vessel was on its way from the Gulf to the Gulf of Mexico when it was attacked.
Although the incident happened hundreds of miles from Somalia, pirate gangs are known to operate there.
"This morning the vessel was attacked by armed men," said Enesel in a statement quoted by Reuters.
"For the moment there is no communication with the vessel."
Greece's Merchant Marine Ministry told the Associated Press that the ship was carrying 266,000 tons of crude oil.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12403528
Note: 9 February 2011 Last updated at 12:03 GMT