Indian Seafarer Injured After Projectile Hits Tanker
An Indian crew member was injured after a projectile struck the MT Fujairah Energy tanker in the Persian Gulf.
An Indian crew member sustained injuries following a projectile strike on a large crude oil tanker navigating the Persian Gulf. The incident occurred on November 10 aboard the MT Fujairah Energy, a Liberia-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), while the vessel was en route from Al Ruwais to Dubai.
Casualties and Crew Status
The vessel was carrying six Indian nationals at the time of the attack. The strike resulted in injuries to four crew members. One of the injured, an Indian national, sustained minor injuries and was subsequently transported to shore for medical evaluation.
The remaining crew members, including five other Indian nationals and 18 additional personnel, were reported safe and accounted for following the incident.
Official Responses
India's Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the event via social media on November 11. He stated that the Indian government is actively monitoring the situation and is coordinating with the ship's management company to ensure the safety and medical care of the crew.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also acknowledged the incident in the Strait of Hormuz, issuing a formal caution to all mariners operating in the region due to the ongoing security threats.
A Growing Maritime Security Crisis
This latest strike highlights a disturbing trend of maritime instability in West Asia. Since February 2026, the ongoing conflict in the region has claimed the lives of 23 Indian nationals, 15 of whom were seafarers.
Recent maritime incidents involving Indian crew members include:
- The targeting of the Panama-flagged MT Louise 1, which was carrying 27 Indian crew members.
- The rescue of 13 Indian nationals by Omani authorities.
- The recent evacuation of 19 Indian seafarers from Hodeidah and Sana'a in Yemen after they were stranded for two weeks.
High Stakes for Indian Seafarers
With approximately 18,000 Indian seafarers operating throughout the Persian Gulf, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain, the safety of this workforce is a major concern. The frequency of attacks on commercial shipping is escalating rapidly, with 37 reported incidents occurring in October alone.