Tenth Indian-Flagged Ship Navigates Strait of Hormuz as Iranian Gunboats Open Fire
New Delhi: In a tense maritime situation, the tenth Indian-flagged vessel successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday even as Iranian gunboats fired shots, forcing two other Indian-flagged tankers to turn back from the vital waterway.
The ship Desh Garima, laden with crude oil and bound for Mumbai port, made it through the strategic passage. Iran has been imposing sporadic restrictions on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz since it blocked the key energy route last month, amid its ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel that began on February 28.
While some Indian vessels have been allowed to proceed at intervals, several Indian- and foreign-flagged ships headed for Indian ports continue to wait for clearance to cross, according to vessel tracking data.
Official records indicate that 13 Indian vessels are currently located in the Persian Gulf to the west of the Strait of Hormuz, six in the Gulf of Oman to the east, one in the Gulf of Aden, and three in the Red Sea.
The petroleum ministry has identified 17 vessels for evacuation efforts. These include four LPG carriers, three LNG carriers, and 10 crude oil tankers. Of these, three are Indian-flagged while 14 are foreign-flagged.
The chemicals and fertilisers ministry has prepared a separate list of 16 additional ships needing evacuation. This includes the Indian-flagged vessel Jag Arnav, which came under attack by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Saturday.
As of Saturday, 499 Indian seafarers were on board Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf region, with 343 positioned to the west of the Strait of Hormuz and 156 in the Gulf of Oman. Shipping companies have evacuated a total of 2,487 seafarers from the area so far.
Vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday received radio warnings from Iranian naval authorities stating that transit was not permitted. Reports indicated that two ships were struck by gunfire during the incident. Earlier notices to mariners had suggested limited passage might be allowed in designated safe lanes.
The events underscore the persistent challenges facing commercial shipping in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors, as evacuation operations for Indian vessels and crew continue in the region.