Drone Strike on LPG Tanker: 9 Indian Seafarers Safe
A Liberia-flagged LPG tanker was hit by a drone near the Strait of Hormuz, leaving all 19 crew members unharmed.
A drone strike targeted a Liberia-flagged LPG tanker carrying nine Indian seafarers near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, September 20, according to a report by the Directorate of Maritime Administration. The vessel, identified as the M.T. Al Maryah, was sailing eastbound outside the critical waterway when the incident occurred.
The tanker sustained no significant damage, and its power systems and main engine remained operational. All 19 crew members on board, including the nine Indian nationals, were confirmed unharmed. The M.T. Al Maryah is now safely anchored at Khor Fakkan, a port in the United Arab Emirates.
Heightened Risks for Indian Seafarers in the Region
The attack comes amid growing concerns over the safety of commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities have identified 13 vessels of Indian interest in the area, including six Indian-flagged ships and seven foreign-flagged vessels with Indian crew members. These vessels, currently located west of the Strait of Hormuz, carry a total of 145 Indian seafarers.
Of the nine vessels slated for potential evacuation, seven are transporting fertilizer, while the remaining two carry other cargoes. The Directorate of Maritime Administration has reported a sharp increase in incidents involving Indian-flagged and Indian-crewed vessels since the conflict escalated.
To date, there have been four incidents involving Indian-flagged ships and 58 involving foreign-flagged vessels with Indian crew, resulting in 10 confirmed deaths, 12 injuries, and one presumed death. Despite the drone strike on the M.T. Al Maryah, no new operational safety or security incidents were reported on Sunday.
The Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Chokepoint Under Pressure
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, is one of the world’s most vital shipping routes. It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, serving as the primary exit point for oil and gas shipments from the region. In 2025, the strait handled an average of 20 million barrels of oil and oil products daily, accounting for roughly 25% of global seaborne oil trade, according to the International Energy Agency.
However, shipping traffic through the strait has plummeted amid the ongoing conflict. Over the past weekend, only 17 commodity vessels crossed the waterway, compared to 37 the previous week and an average of 125 vessels per day before the hostilities began. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, prioritizing the safety of crews, particularly those with Indian nationals.
The M.T. Al Maryah remains anchored at Khor Fakkan as officials assess the broader security landscape. The Directorate of Maritime Administration has intensified its oversight of commercial vessels in the region, with a focus on those carrying Indian seafarers.
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