Shipping Ministry confirms attack on vessel carrying 24 Indian seafarers south of Hormuz

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New Delhi: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) on Monday confirmed a fire incident aboard MT Marivex, a vessel carrying 24 Indian seafarers, south of the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, the Ministry added that all crew members are presently safe. The vessel’s position was in the region just south of Hormuz when the incident occurred.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Director in the Shipping Division, Opesh Kumar Sharma, said the fire was reported at around 1:30 pm today.
“This is the preliminary information which we have received. Based on this, as per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe,” Sharma said.

He said the Ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and the Indian Navy. Moreover, the Ministry of Defence is also involved. This is to ensure the safety of the seafarers in the area south of Hormuz.

“We are in touch with the owners, and we are trying to ascertain the facts. We are also in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs and our mission in Oman,” he added. This communication effort with those closest to the South of Hormuz region continues as they investigate further.

On whether the ship was hit by a projectile, Sharma said, “So whether the ship was hit by a projectile or not, presently we are trying to get absolute information. As you are aware, the fire incident was at 1:30 today.” It is important to note that these events continue to develop south of Hormuz.

“The vessel was well out of the Strait of Hormuz and well clear to the south,” he added.
According to the shipping ministry, the vessel, an oil tanker, was not carrying any cargo and was in ballast condition. Its location well south of Hormuz is being closely monitored by authorities.

“There were only Indian seafarers on board,” Sharma noted, confirming that the group was all present in waters south of Hormuz during the incident.

Sharma said the Directorate General of Shipping control room has handled about 12,020 calls and more than 26,832 emails since activation. Notably, these were particularly in connection with incidents near the South of Hormuz.

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“In the last 96 hours, a total of 390 calls and 968 emails have been received from seafarers, their families, and maritime stakeholders,” he said. Many communications referenced concerns about maritime safety to the south of Hormuz.

The Ministry, through the DG Shipping, has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 3,506 Indian seafarers so far. This includes 32 in the last 96 hours, he added.” These repatriations include those from the region south of Hormuz.

Port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported,” Sharma said. Operations in areas south of Hormuz have also been under careful observation.

Earlier in the day, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) posted on X that the Indian seafarers aboard the vessel sought urgent assistance off the coast of Oman. Oman is located to the south of Hormuz.

“Indian Navy in Harmouz 24 Indian Seafarers seeking urgent assistance at 2057.07N 059 degree 0813 off the coast of Oman onboard,” the post read, referring to a position south of the famous Hormuz Strait.

The Embassy of India in Oman responded to the FSUI post and established direct contact with the seafarers aboard the vessel. These seafarers were south of Hormuz at the time.

“It is informed that the embassy has established contact,” the embassy stated. This comes as good news for those monitoring developments south of Hormuz.

(ANI)

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