The ongoing conflict between the US and Iran has led to several attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf waters, raising concerns over the safety of international shipping and crew members working in the region.
A Bahamas-flagged crude oil tanker named Sonangol Namibe was targeted by an Iranian drone boat near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port. According to India’s Directorate General of Shipping, the vessel had 10 Indian crew members on board at the time of the attack. Authorities confirmed that there were no casualties among them.
Second tanker damaged amid rising tensions
Another tanker located off the coast of Kuwait was also damaged after a massive explosion. The vessel reportedly began taking on water and spilt oil following the blast.
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Since the conflict began on Saturday, at least nine vessels carrying Indian crew members have been attacked in the region. Despite the growing tensions, there have been no confirmed detentions or casualties involving Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf so far.
The crisis has significantly disrupted maritime traffic in the Gulf. Around 200 ships are currently anchored near the coasts of major oil-producing countries, while hundreds of other vessels remain stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Bloomberg, India has been in discussions with the United States to gain clarity on a proposed system that would provide insurance coverage for oil tankers and other vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump has offered Navy escorts and insurance support to help resume shipping flows and stabilise global energy prices.
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Meanwhile, reports say that around 23,000 seamen are currently trapped in conflict zones. At least two Indian seamen have reportedly been killed in the ongoing crisis.
Captain Ashish Kumar and oiler Dalip Singh were reported killed or missing when the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Skylight was attacked at Khasab Port in Oman on March 1. Another crew member, oiler Dixit Amratlal Solanki, was also reported killed after the crude oil tanker MKD Vyom was attacked about 70 nautical miles from Muscat, Oman.
