19 Indian seafarers safe after tanker targeted off UAE; Two other vessels also attacked

All 19 Indian seafarers aboard a Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker were safe after the vessel was targeted in a projectile attack off Mina Saqr in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.

The tanker, MT DOMINICA PROSPERITY, was carrying 19 Indian nationals when it came under attack while drifting off Mina Saqr. The UAE Coast Guard evacuated the entire 22-member crew, with no injuries reported among the Indian seafarers.

"The entire 22-member crew was swiftly and safely evacuated by the UAE Coast Guard, and all 19 of our Indian nationals are completely safe with no injuries," Sonowal said in a post on X.

He added that the government was in constant contact with the ship management company to ensure the seafarers' safety and provide the necessary support.

"We remain in continuous contact with the ship management company to ensure their ongoing safety, welfare and logistical support," the minister said.

This is the latest in a series of incidents involving vessels carrying Indian crew members in the region. Earlier, Sonowal confirmed that all three Indian seafarers aboard the Saudi Arabia-flagged oil tanker NCC FAJR were safe after the vessel was involved in a possible attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on November 11.

"On Nov 11, Saudi Arabia-flagged oil tanker NCC FAJR, carrying 3 Indian seafarers, was involved in a possible attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz," Sonowal said.

"All 3 Indian nationals, along with the entire crew, are safe," he added, saying the government was monitoring the situation and remained in regular contact with the ship management company to ensure the crew's security and well-being.

On November 10, another Liberia-flagged tanker, MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY, carrying six Indian seafarers, was hit by a projectile while sailing through the Persian Gulf from Al Ruwais to Dubai.

Four crew members were injured, including one Indian national, who suffered minor injuries and was taken ashore for medical examination. The remaining 18 crew members, including the other five Indian seafarers, were safe, Sonowal said.

"On Nov 10, Liberia-flagged VLCC MT FUJAIRAH ENERGY, carrying 6 Indian seafarers, was hit by a projectile while transiting the Persian Gulf from Al Ruwais to Dubai. Four crew members sustained injuries in the attack, including one Indian national, who suffered minor injuries and has been safely taken ashore for further medical examination," he said.

"The remaining 18 crew members, including the other 5 Indian seafarers, are safe and accounted for. We are continuously monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with the ship management company to ensure the ongoing security, medical care and wellbeing of our seafarers," he added.

Amid growing security concerns in West Asia and threats to commercial shipping along key maritime routes, India has called for restraint and respect for international maritime law to protect merchant vessels and their crews.

On Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was in touch with all concerned parties over the safety of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

"We continue to call for safe, free and unimpeded navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. We are in touch with all concerned parties to avoid attacks on civilian shipping and seafarers, including Indian vessels which are under the Indian flag as well as Indian seafarers. So that is where we are on the issue of the Strait of Hormuz," Jaiswal said.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route, carrying around 20 per cent of the world's petroleum supplies. India relies heavily on the corridor for crude oil imports, while Indian seafarers account for nearly 10–12 per cent of the global maritime workforce.

(With ANI inputs)