Drone Attack on Indian Crew Oil Tanker Near Strait of Hormuz

An oil tanker carrying an Indian crew was attacked by drones near the Strait of Hormuz, leading to damage but no casualties among the crew. The Indian Shipping Ministry is investigating the incident, which follows a series of attacks on vessels in the region. The tanker was under US Navy protection at the time of the attack. This incident highlights ongoing tensions in the area, particularly affecting maritime trade routes. Read on for more details about the attack and India's response.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 15, 2026, 16:56 IST

Incident Overview

New Delhi: An oil tanker with an Indian crew was targeted in a drone attack on June 12 and 13 while navigating near the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel, identified as the Hong Kong-flagged Bockem Marengo, sustained damage during the incident. Fortunately, all 21 crew members aboard were safely evacuated.

During the night of June 12-13, the tanker was attacked while under the protection of the US Navy's Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) security arrangement. Despite this security, an unmanned drone struck the ship, impacting three sections, including the No. 1 and No. 2 port water ballast tanks. Thankfully, the vessel did not sink and was able to continue its journey.

Prior to this incident, three other vessels with Indian crews—MT Marivex, Settebello, and Jalveer—were also attacked in the same region. The attack on MT Settebello resulted in the tragic deaths of three Indian sailors.

India's Response

The Indian Shipping Ministry has stated that it is investigating the recent attack. In relation to the death of an Indian sailor aboard MT Celestial, the ministry confirmed that the vessel has reached shore, and the remains are being repatriated to India via Oman.

As of now, approximately 10 Indian-flagged and 5 foreign-flagged vessels have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz. Since the onset of the conflict, over 3,500 Indian seafarers have been safely brought back to India.

It is important to note that the Strait of Hormuz, which previously facilitated 20% of the global crude oil and liquefied natural gas trade, has faced significant disruptions due to actions by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) since the conflict escalated in West Asia on February 28. Additionally, on April 13, the US imposed a naval blockade restricting ships from entering or leaving Iranian ports in the strait.