Two Tankers with Indian Crew Attacked Near Oman and UAE

Two foreign-flagged tankers carrying Indian crew members were attacked near the Strait of Hormuz and off Oman’s Khasab Port on Thursday, September 17, 2026. The Directorate of Maritime Administration confirmed the incidents, as reported by the Hindustan Times and Business Standard on Friday, September 18, 2026.

• Two foreign-flagged tankers with Indian crew were attacked near Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.
• One vessel reached UAE anchorage safely while details of the second ship are being confirmed.
• A total of 153 Indian seafarers remain at risk in the Persian Gulf region.

Attack on MT Basrah Energy

The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT Basrah Energy was struck by a projectile in its funnel area while sailing eastbound just outside the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel sustained no major structural damage, and all 22 crew members, including 14 Indian nationals, were reported safe. The ship has since arrived at the Fujairah anchorage in the UAE.

Attack on MT Trend Near Oman

In a second incident occurring hours later, the Togo-flagged oil product tanker Trend was attacked by a drone near Khasab Port, Oman. As of Friday afternoon, details regarding the extent of the damage and the specific number of Indian crew members on board remained under confirmation.

Risks to Indian Seafarers

These incidents highlight the ongoing risks to the 153 Indian seafarers currently situated west of the Strait of Hormuz inside the Persian Gulf. This total includes crew aboard six Indian-flagged vessels and eight foreign-flagged vessels of Indian interest; ten of these ships have been identified for evacuation. Indian seafarers from states including Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar have been impacted by previous attacks this year on vessels such as the MT Al Bahiyah, MT Mombasa, and MT El Gaia, which resulted in deaths and injuries. One Indian seafarer remains missing following the attack on the MT El Gaia off Oman earlier this month.

While New Delhi monitors the situation via a real-time dashboard and maintains coordination between embassies in Muscat, Abu Dhabi, and Tehran, the region remains a contested waterway. Shipping companies continue to operate through the area despite the risks posed to crews by drones, projectiles, and naval activity.