A vessel near Fujairah, identified as the Honduran-flagged fishing support ship Hui Chuan, has been reported as a floating armory by the maritime security consultancy Vanguard Tech. The ship, which was operating in the Gulf of Oman, was boarded by unauthorized individuals while anchored approximately 38 nautical miles northeast of Fujairah, close to the eastern entrance of the Strait of Hormuz. Following this incident, the vessel was redirected into Iranian territorial waters, and all contact has since been lost, with its AIS signal no longer visible.
Floating armories are utilized by maritime security contractors to securely store arms, ammunition, and personnel between missions. This practice circumvents the complex legal issues associated with staging weapons and personnel in coastal states, which can lead to confiscations and legal repercussions. In international waters, contractors can maintain their equipment without interference, making floating armories a practical solution.
The operations of floating armories are often shrouded in secrecy, and details regarding the ownership and management of the Hui Chuan remain unclear. Built in 1984, the vessel is registered in Honduras and is operated by a shell company based in the Marshall Islands, which also owns another fishing vessel, Sunny Ocean.
