Two tankers attacked in Strait of Hormuz, all 29 Indian crew members safe
New Delhi: All 29 Indian nationals aboard two tankers attacked in the Strait of Hormuz are safe, Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Friday. The incidents involved the Panama-flagged MT LOUISE 1 and the Liberia-flagged MT ARZANAH.
Sonowal said the government was in contact with the ship management companies to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Indian crew members.
“On Oct 29, Liberia-flagged VLCC MT ARZANAH, carrying 2 Indian nationals, and on Oct 30, Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian seafarers, were targeted in projectile attacks in the Strait of Hormuz,” Sonowal tweeted.
Fire aboard tanker
While Sonowal described the incidents as projectile attacks, Reuters cited maritime security sources as saying a small craft approached Louise 1 and attached two limpet mines to its hull before leaving.
The explosions caused an engine-room fire and temporarily disabled the tanker. The crew extinguished the blaze, and the vessel later resumed its journey. No injuries or environmental damage were reported.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations, a British naval agency, issued an advisory about an incident around 25 nautical miles, or 46 km, north-east of Khasab in Oman.
Sources identify limpet mines
The British agency did not name the vessel in its advisory. However, three maritime security sources assessed that it was Louise 1 and that attackers had attached limpet mines to its hull, Reuters reported.
The sources described it as the first known successful use of such devices in the area since the US-Iran war began in February.
They said a separate attempt in September failed because the explosives did not detonate. The identity of those responsible for the latest attack remains unclear.
Concerns over shipping security
The attacks have renewed concerns about commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a major route for global oil exports.
Greece-based maritime risk management company Marisks said the apparent ability of a small boat to approach a moving tanker, attach explosives and retreat posed a serious security concern.
It said the strait’s crowded shipping channels added to the risk. According to Marisks, limpet mines are inexpensive and readily available, making attacks from small craft a relatively low-cost method.
The company said such devices had previously been used against tankers in the region.