Two foreign-flagged tankers with Indian crew members were attacked in and around the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, 18 September 2026. Two foreign-flagged tankers with Indian crew members were attacked. 153 Indian seafarers remain trapped in the region. Families across India are waiting for updates.
The Panama-flagged crude tanker MT Basrah Energy was struck by a projectile in its funnel area while sailing eastbound outside the Strait. According to the Directorate of Maritime Administration, there was no major structural damage, and all 22 crew members, including 14 Indian nationals, were reported safe. The vessel later anchored at Fujairah, UAE.
In a separate incident on the same day, the Togo-flagged product tanker Trend was attacked by a drone near Khasab Port, Oman. Authorities have withheld details regarding injuries, crew numbers, or the identity of the attackers. These events follow a series of maritime incidents involving Indian sailors this year, including the disappearance of an Indian oiler during the attack on the El Gaia off Oman and previous strikes on vessels such as Ras Laffan, Al Bahiyah, Mombasa, and Settebello. Since February 2026, maritime conflicts have persisted in the region.
Currently, there are six Indian-flagged ships and eight foreign-flagged ships of Indian interest located west of the Strait within the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 153 Indian seafarers. While ten of these vessels have been marked for evacuation, no such operations have been completed. Families in states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh remain awaiting updates on the crew. Despite DG Shipping advisories regarding transits through the Strait of Hormuz, many vessels continue to operate in the area, often encouraged by hazard bonuses for crew members. The situation underscores ongoing risks for Indian personnel, who frequently staff engine rooms for international shipping interests amidst geopolitical tensions involving countries such as UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Yemen.
