Indian Vessel's Tense Journey Through the Strait of Hormuz

An Indian-flagged vessel's routine journey through the Strait of Hormuz turned into a tense ordeal as airstrikes erupted in the region. The crew faced technical difficulties and dwindling water supplies while waiting for safe passage. After nearly ten days of uncertainty, they were finally escorted by the Indian Navy, navigating through heightened tensions and diplomatic efforts. This incident highlights the precarious nature of maritime navigation in conflict zones.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 22, 2026, 08:02 IST

A Routine Voyage Turns Chaotic

What started as a standard trip home transformed into a stressful situation for the crew aboard an Indian-flagged ship navigating the precarious Strait of Hormuz. On February 27, after loading cargo at Ras Laffan in Qatar, the captain and crew were ready to head back to India, a route they were familiar with. However, within hours, the circumstances shifted dramatically. The following day, coordinated airstrikes by the US and Israel on various locations in Iran plunged the region into turmoil.

“We were prepared to depart, but everything suddenly stopped,” recalled a senior officer from the vessel. “News of significant airstrikes began to surface, and we had no option but to find refuge at a secure anchorage in a UAE port.” As tensions escalated, the crew encountered unexpected technical difficulties. GPS signals became erratic, and several onboard instruments malfunctioned, heightening their anxiety.

“We were continuously monitoring news and updates regarding the conflict,” the officer stated. “Simultaneously, we adhered to every advisory from DG Shipping, the Shipping Corporation of India, and the Indian Navy.” While the danger of being in a conflict zone was intimidating, another pressing issue arose — a shortage of drinking water.

“Food wasn’t an issue; we had enough supplies for over a month,” the officer noted. “However, potable water was running low. Ships can only produce a limited amount of fresh water while stationary, and older vessels generate even less. We could have sustained ourselves for another 7–10 days at most.” This limitation was due to the ship’s freshwater generation system, which relies on the heat and power from the main engine, not fully operational while anchored.

Maintaining crew morale during this challenging time was crucial. Crew members needed reassurance about their safe return, especially with uncertainty hanging over them. “There was considerable stress, but small distractions helped,” the officer mentioned. “Even watching Cricket World Cup matches lifted spirits on board.”

After nearly ten days of waiting, relief arrived. On March 13, the crew learned they could continue their journey later that night. “We didn’t receive prior notice, but we understood the Indian government was working to ensure our safe passage,” the officer explained. “We were in contact with the Indian Navy, which escorted us after we crossed the Strait of Hormuz. We had no direct communication with the Iranian Navy.”

However, a report indicated that the Iranian Navy had aided an Indian LPG vessel in navigating the strait via a pre-approved route, following diplomatic efforts by New Delhi. The report highlighted that the vessel maintained radio contact with Iranian authorities, who confirmed details such as the ship’s identity, route, and crew nationality. Amid the rising tensions, at least eight vessels were reported to have transited the Strait of Hormuz that week.