Desk : Maritime security concerns have intensified around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman after a Qatar-flagged LNG carrier travelling towards India was reportedly targeted in a suspected drone attack. The incident caused damage to the vessel, but all crew members onboard are reported to be safe.
According to news agency ANI, the LNG carrier LNGC Al Rekayyat was sailing from Qatar’s Ras Laffan port to Gujarat’s Dahej port in India when it came under attack on July 7 near the meeting point of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. Following the suspected aerial attack, a massive fire broke out in the ship’s engine room, leading to heavy smoke. However, there have been no reports of casualties or LNG leakage so far.
The vessel was carrying 29 crew members, including four Indian sailors. Government sources confirmed that all crew members are safe despite the attack. The incident was reported to the Directorate General of Communications (DGCOMM) through the Recruitment and Placement Service Licence authority. The ship has continued its journey towards India’s Dahej port.
The attack on the Qatar LNG carrier came just hours after two other oil tankers were reportedly targeted while passing through the strategic waterway near the Persian Gulf. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British naval security agency, confirmed the incident involving an unidentified drone attack and said the vessel was able to continue its voyage.
According to UKMTO, the attack took place near the coast of Oman while the ship was leaving the Strait of Hormuz and entering the Gulf of Oman. The projectile struck the port side of the vessel.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most crucial energy transit routes, through which a significant portion of global oil and gas supplies passes. The recent increase in attacks on commercial vessels in the region has raised serious concerns over the security of international energy supply chains.