India strongly condemned the attacks on commercial shipping and seafarers during the Gulf conflict at the UN General Assembly, calling such actions “simply unacceptable.” The External Affairs Minister urged all parties to exercise restraint, emphasizing the need to protect civilians and ensure the uninterrupted flow of energy and commerce.
Suraj Yadav, a wiper from Deoria, Uttar Pradesh, was tragically killed during an attack on the MV Cape Dao near Oman. The bulk carrier, carrying 28 crew members—including 19 Indians—was struck by torpedoes. The Indian Embassy is coordinating with Omani authorities to ensure the safety and repatriation of the survivors.
On September 17, 2026, a vessel was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, raising maritime security concerns. The UK Maritime Trade Operations reported the crew is safe, but details about the vessel and the attack remain undisclosed. Authorities are investigating, urging caution for vessels in the vital shipping lane.
Saudi Arabia is ramping up crude oil sales from alternative locations due to the East-West pipeline’s shutdown. This week, Saudi Aramco reportedly sold approximately 20 million barrels to Asian refiners. The pipeline closure highlights vulnerabilities in the global oil market, pushing the kingdom to revert to traditional, riskier shipping routes.
A British maritime agency reported that multiple vessels in the Gulf region were ablaze following Iran’s claims of attacking 20 ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The UKMTO noted incidents involving merchant ships under fire and a tanker listing due to potential projectile damage, amid escalating military tensions in the area.
Shipping linked to Iran faces extreme dangers, while US-associated vessels encounter heightened risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Recent reports indicate 27 projectile strikes since July 6, damaging ships in the region. As of now, no very large crude carriers have successfully exited the strait, highlighting the volatile security situation.
A tanker in the Indian Ocean near Oman reported an encounter with military forces, as noted by UK Maritime Trade Operations. While specifics remain undisclosed, the incident coincides with heightened U.S. enforcement of a maritime blockade against Iran. Ongoing geopolitical tensions suggest potential U.S. intervention in response to the encounter.
On August 15, 2026, UKMTO and UAE authorities reported an attack on a merchant vessel near the Strait of Hormuz. A bulk carrier was struck by an unidentified projectile, prompting investigations. All crew members are safe, but damage assessments are ongoing, highlighting persistent security concerns in the region.
Six Saudi-flagged supertankers have changed course in the Gulf of Aden, heading towards southern Africa due to threats from Yemen’s Houthi movement. The vessels, returning from Asia without cargo, are avoiding the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint for safety. This detour could significantly delay their return to Saudi ports.
Oil transfers between tankers outside the Strait of Hormuz have sharply decreased following recent Iranian attacks. Since late February, ship-to-ship transfers have enabled oil exports despite threats. Recent satellite images show a decline in activity, with only one pair of tankers observed on July 18, down from three the previous week.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has paused its evacuation efforts for stranded seafarers in the Persian Gulf after an attack on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman. This decision follows the unveiling of a plan to evacuate over 11,000 seafarers, disrupted by rising tensions in the US-Iran conflict.
All 20 Indian crew members of the tanker MT Jalveer were safely evacuated after U.S. forces disabled the vessel during a blockade enforcement operation in the Gulf of Oman. This incident, the third involving Indian seafarers in a week, raises significant concerns over their safety amid escalating maritime tensions.
Two crew members are missing and one injured after the U.S. military disabled the tanker M/T Settebello in the Gulf of Oman. This incident marks the first seafarer casualties amid the maritime blockade against Iran. It raises safety concerns for civilian operations in the increasingly volatile Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. forces recently disabled the Palau-flagged tanker, linked to Iran’s shadow fleet, marking the seventh vessel halted since April. An F/A-18 Super Hornet executed a precision strike to incapacitate the ship as it attempted to reach an Iranian port, underscoring escalating U.S. efforts to curb Iranian oil shipments.
Iranian authorities have detained 18 crew members from a foreign tanker in the Gulf of Oman, alleging the vessel was transporting 6 million liters of smuggled fuel. This incident highlights Iran’s ongoing battle against fuel smuggling, which exacerbates economic challenges amid sanctions and a struggling economy.
