India Condemns Sinking Of Cargo Ship Near Oman

NEW DELHI – India on May 14 strongly condemned an attack on the Indian-flagged cargo vessel MSV Haji Ali, which sank off the coast of Oman after reportedly being struck by a drone or missile-like projectile, amid rising concerns over maritime security in the Middle East.

The Ministry of External Affairs said, “The attack on an Indian-flagged ship off the coast of Oman yesterday is unacceptable, and we deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted.”

The Gujarat-owned vessel was traveling from Berbera Port in Somalia to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates when it reportedly came under attack in Omani waters on May 13.

According to ship owner Sultan Ahmed Ansar, a resident of Dwarka in Gujarat, the vessel caught fire and became stranded off the Omani coast at around 3:30 a.m. local time before eventually sinking.

All 14 crew members onboard were rescued by the Oman Coast Guard and taken to Dibba Port in Oman.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East and renewed concerns over the safety of global maritime trade routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil and gas shipping corridors.

Amid those concerns, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said two India-bound LPG carriers safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz this week.

According to the ministry, SYMI, a Marshall Islands-flagged LPG carrier transporting 19,965 metric tons of LPG cargo for India, crossed the strait safely on May 13 and is expected to arrive at Kandla on May 16.

Another vessel, NV SUNSHINE, a Vietnam-flagged LPG carrier carrying 46,427 metric tons of LPG cargo for India, safely crossed the strait on May 14 and is expected to reach New Mangalore on May 18. (IANS)