NEW DELHI — India has issued a strong condemnation following a projectile strike on a Panama-flagged oil tanker, owned by a Dubai-based shipping company, while transiting the crucial Strait of Hormuz off the coast of Oman. The incident left 12 crew members injured, including 11 Indian nationals, highlighting the growing danger facing global maritime corridors and civilian seafarers.
The targeted commercial vessel, the MT On Peace—operated by Dubai-based Onex DMCC—was struck while traveling through international waters roughly nine nautical miles northeast of Lima in Oman's Musandam Governorate. The attack caused an onboard fire and severe injuries to crew members.
Omani defense forces and emergency rescue teams mounted a rapid evacuation operation, airlifting the injured seafarers to medical facilities in Khasab, Oman. Out of the 19 total crew members aboard the tanker, 17 were Indian nationals.
Expressing deep concern over recurring strikes on merchant shipping, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) demanded an immediate end to assaults on civilian vessels and seafarers. The appeal came after a direct projectile hit ignited an onboard fire while the vessel navigated the narrow maritime gateway.
Extending official gratitude to Omani authorities for their swift intervention and medical support, New Delhi highlighted that the strike on the MT On Peace marks the latest in a troubling pattern of recent attacks targeting commercial oil, LNG, and LPG carriers near the Strait of Hormuz.
The assault underscores the direct risks faced by civilian crews navigating one of the world's most critical energy transit routes. With a significant portion of global petroleum traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz, international maritime organizations and regional powers continue to press for heightened security guarantees to prevent compounding disruptions to international trade and human life.
In response to the growing threat along these vital sea lanes, international maritime insurance providers have sharply raised war-risk premiums for vessels operating throughout the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Industry analysts warn that these escalating insurance costs, combined with rerouting delays as shipping firms consider safer albeit longer paths around Africa, could soon trigger a noticeable spike in global energy prices and shipping freight rates worldwide.
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