The Supreme Headquarters of the Armed Islamic Warriors in Iraq is targetting Asian companies which transport good for the US military, which caused the crew of the vessel to cite “safety fears” and activated a clause in the charter deal which allowed them to refuse a destination if crew safety was in question.

The Wah Kwong Shipping VLCC (very large crude carrier) vessel is under a long-term charter to Teekay Shipping, the transporter of 10% of the world’s crude supply.

In a statement Wah Kwong President George Chao Sze-kwong said, “I do not want to send ships to where my crew, cargo and ship are in danger. [I do] not know if Teekay Shipping was active in supplying the US military with oil or other goods, but the crew had sided with caution.”

“Al-Qaeda said they would target 10 international companies and we don’t know if we or the charterers are included. Teekay is North American and very big, so they may be an obvious target,” added Chao.

Chao’s willingness to err on the side of caution comes on the back of a warning issued to Hong Kong ship-owners by the Hong Kong Marine Department stating it had “received a general media report that an Islamic militant group had threatened to destroy vessels carrying US military goods in the Middle East and named Hong Kong shipping firms among its targets”.

Teekay has announced the Venture Spirit will be replaced by another ship which is due to call at Basra in August.