On September 18, 2026, two vessels with Indian crew members were targeted in attacks near the Strait of Hormuz. The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT Basrah Energy was struck by a projectile while moving east of the Strait. Although the ship's funnel area was hit, no significant structural damage was reported. The vessel successfully reached the Fujairah anchorage, and all 14 Indian nationals among its 22-member crew are confirmed safe. A second incident involved the Togo-flagged oil product tanker Trend, which reportedly suffered a drone attack near Khasab Port, Oman. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard has claimed responsibility for targeting the Trend, alleging the vessel was involved in an illegal passage. Details regarding crew status and damage for the Trend remain unverified.
According to the Directorate of Maritime Administration,
153 Indian seafarers remain on vessels within the Persian Gulf. This figure includes personnel aboard six Indian-flagged vessels and eight foreign-flagged vessels of Indian interest. Furthermore,
10 vessels of Indian interest have been identified for potential evacuation planning to ensure safety as security risks in the region escalate. These incidents follow a September 13 attack on the MT El Gaia, where one Indian sailor remains missing after 13 of the 14 Indian crew members were rescued.
The Directorate General (DG) of Shipping maintains a heightened-security advisory for all Indian seafarers in the region, mandating continuous vigilance and 24/7 watchkeeping. Shipping companies and RPSL agencies are directed to maintain emergency contact mechanisms to keep families informed.
The DG Shipping can be reached at +91-22-25752040/41/42/43 or via email at dgship-dgs@nic.in. Authorities urge families to avoid social media rumors and rely exclusively on information from shipping companies, the DG Shipping, or Indian missions.
