UAE Coast Guard evacuates all 22 crew members of Liberia-flagged MT Dominica Prosperity; incident raises fresh concerns over maritime security in the Gulf
All 19 Indian seafarers aboard a Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker were safely evacuated after the vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday.
The incident occurred on November 11 while MT Dominica Prosperity was drifting near Mina Saqr, off the UAE coast. The UAE Coast Guard swiftly evacuated all 22 crew members, including 19 Indian nationals. No injuries were reported.
Sonowal said the government was maintaining continuous contact with the ship management company to monitor the welfare of the evacuated crew and provide necessary logistical support.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile in its engine room, approximately 14 nautical miles north-west of Ras Al Khaimah. Firefighting operations were under way following the incident.
The attack is part of a series of incidents involving commercial vessels in the Gulf region amid heightened tensions in West Asia.
On November 10, another Liberia-flagged tanker, MT Fujairah Energy, carrying six Indian seafarers, was hit by a projectile while travelling from Al Ruwais to Dubai through the Arabian Gulf. Four crew members were injured, including an Indian national who sustained minor injuries and was taken ashore for medical examination. The remaining crew members were reported safe.
A Saudi Arabia-flagged oil tanker carrying three Indian seafarers was also involved in a suspected attack while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on November 11. All crew members were reported safe
India has expressed concern over the growing risks to commercial shipping and called for restraint and compliance with international maritime law.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India’s position that navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must remain safe, free and uninterrupted. He said New Delhi was in contact with concerned parties to prevent attacks on civilian vessels and seafarers.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important shipping corridor through which around one-fifth of global petroleum supplies pass. Its security is particularly significant for India, which depends heavily on the route for energy imports and has a substantial presence in the international maritime workforce.
