Indian Seafarer Among Four Injured in VLCC Fujairah Energy Attack
The Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) Fujairah Energy was hit by a projectile in the Persian Gulf on 10 November while on a voyage from Al Ruwais to Dubai, along the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Al Ruwais is an oil and refinery hub in the western part of Abu Dhabi emirate, so the ship was sailing inside the Gulf, well away from the Strait of Hormuz.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on 11 November that six Indian seafarers were among the crew. Four crew members were injured, one of them an Indian national who had minor injuries and was taken ashore for further medical checks. The minister said the remaining 18 crew, including the other five Indians, are safe and accounted for, and that the government is monitoring the situation and staying in close contact with the ship’s management company.
From the CrewMirror Blog
According to news agency reports, the UK Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO) confirmed the incident but said the extent of damage was not yet known. The nationalities of the other three injured crew, and the condition of the ship, have not been released. No group has claimed the attack. On the same day, an ADNOC Logistics & Services vessel was reported damaged in an attack in UAE waters; officials have not said whether this is the same ship.
The attack adds to a long list of strikes on merchant ships in the Gulf region since March. India’s Ministry of External Affairs said earlier this month that 23 Indian nationals, including 15 seafarers, have died in the region’s conflict.
CrewMirror Takeaway
Ships trading between UAE ports inside the Gulf are now also being hit, not only those crossing Hormuz. Indian seafarers in the region should keep their details updated with their RPSL agency and on the DGMA e-Navik portal, and crews should keep muster, first-aid and safe-room arrangements ready.
