More Indian-piloted tankers were attacked in Gulf waters on Thursday as the war between the United States and Iran escalated, and Iranian drones entered Azerbaijan, threatening to spread the crisis to more oil producers in the region. Track updates on the US conflict with Iran
An Iranian boat loaded with explosives targeted an oil tanker flying the Bahamas flag, while it was anchored near the Iraqi port of Khor al-Zubair, according to initial assessments. There were 10 Indian sailors on board the ship Sonangol Namibia, according to India’s Directorate General of Shipping. There were no updates on the casualties.
A second tanker was anchored off Kuwait, leaking water and leaking oil after a major explosion on the port side.
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Nine ships have been attacked since the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran erupted on Saturday. All nine were Indian crew members.
A report by the directorate stated that there are 36 ships flying the Indian flag in the Arabian Gulf region and three in the Gulf of Aden. No detention, boarding or confirmed hit of Indian-flagged ships has been reported, the report said on Thursday.
About 200 ships, including oil and liquefied natural gas tankers as well as cargo ships, remained anchored in open waters off the coast of major producers in the Gulf, according to Reuters estimates based on ship-tracking data from the MarineTraffic platform.
Shipping data showed that hundreds of other ships remained outside the Strait of Hormuz, unable to reach ports. The waterway is a major artery for about a fifth of the world’s supplies of oil and liquefied natural gas.
President Donald Trump has offered to accompany the US Navy and insurance in an effort to restart shipping flows and reduce energy prices. Lloyd’s of London insurance market said on Thursday it was negotiating a plan with the US government.
India has held talks with the United States to seek clarity on a proposed mechanism to provide insurance to oil tankers and other ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to a government official familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported.
The crisis has prompted seafarers’ unions and the shipping industry to demand that the Indian government protect an estimated 23,000 seafarers trapped in the war zone. On Thursday, the unions held a meeting with Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan in Mumbai.
Three Indian sailors lost their lives amid the conflict.
Captain Ashish Kumar and oil worker Dalip Singh died after the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Skylight was attacked in Oman’s Khasab port on March 1. Oil ship Dixit Amratlal Solanki died when the crude oil tanker MKD Vium was attacked 70 nautical miles from Muscat, Oman.
Meanwhile, Sonangol Marine Services said the ship’s hull appeared to have been breached, but was losing water from its ballast tank – a chamber designed to help stabilize the ship. She added that local officials and government authorities have been notified.
An oil tanker was bombed early Thursday by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ navy, Iran’s IRIB News reported. The identity of the ship was not determined.
The UKMTO said the Marshall Islands crude oil tanker Libra Trader and the Panama-flagged bulk carrier Gold Oak also suffered minor damage about 7 to 10 nautical miles off the UAE port of Fujairah early on Wednesday.
With inputs from Bloomberg
