NEW DELHI — The Indian government has ordered round-the-clock satellite monitoring of Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz after two merchant vessels were attacked last week, killing 16 crew members, including 10 Indian nationals. The move marks a major escalation in India’s maritime security response amid rising tensions in one of the world’s most critical—and volatile—shipping lanes.
The attacks on the MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, confirmed by the Directorate General of Shipping, occurred within hours of each other in the early hours of June 12. The vessels, carrying a combined crew of 46, were struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the strait, a 21-mile-wide chokepoint that handles nearly one-fifth of global oil shipments. Of the 30 Indian crew members aboard, 10 were killed, while the remaining six fatalities included Filipino, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan nationals. The attacks represent the deadliest single incident for Indian seafarers in the region since 2023, when a missile strike on the MT Mercer Street claimed two Indian lives.
In response, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has directed the Indian Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (IMRCC) to deploy a real-time tracking system using satellite-based Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. The system, which will integrate with the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre, will monitor vessel positions, speeds, and course deviations, triggering alerts if a ship stops or changes trajectory unexpectedly. The initiative will initially cover 120 Indian-flagged vessels and those with majority-Indian crews operating in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf.
“This is a direct response to the escalating threat in the Hormuz corridor,” a senior shipping ministry official told The Hindu. “We cannot eliminate the risk, but we can ensure faster response if another vessel is targeted.” The official added that the system would enable quicker coordination with naval assets and international maritime coalitions in the event of an attack.
What Happened: A Timeline of the Attacks
The MT Al Bahiyah, a Liberian-flagged oil tanker, was the first to come under fire at approximately 2:45 a.m. local time on June 12, according to shipping industry reports. The vessel, carrying a cargo of crude oil, was struck by at least two projectiles, causing a fire in its engine room. The MT Mombasa, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier, was hit less than three hours later while transiting the same route. Both vessels were able to send distress signals before losing propulsion, but rescue efforts were hampered by the speed of the attacks and the strait’s congested traffic.
The Indian Navy’s INS Teg, which was patrolling the Gulf of Oman as part of routine operations, was the first to respond, arriving at the scene within four hours. By then, 16 crew members had been confirmed dead, with several others injured. The remaining crew members were evacuated to Oman, where they are receiving medical and consular assistance from the Indian Embassy.
The attacks have not been publicly attributed to any group, but maritime security analysts point to a pattern of strikes by Iranian-backed militias or regional proxy forces. The Strait of Hormuz has seen a 40% increase in reported maritime security incidents since January 2026, according to data from the International Maritime Bureau (IMB). The IMB’s latest quarterly report, released in May, warned of a “sharp rise in asymmetric attacks” in the region, including drone strikes and limpet mine deployments.
Why It Matters: India’s Seafarers at the Center of a Geopolitical Storm
The Strait of Hormuz is not just a critical artery for global energy supplies—it is also a frontline in the escalating shadow war between Iran and its regional adversaries. For India, the stakes are particularly high. The country supplies nearly 14% of the world’s seafarers, with over 250,000 Indian nationals employed in the global shipping industry. Indian crew members are disproportionately represented in the merchant fleets of the Gulf, where they often serve as engineers, officers, and deckhands on oil tankers and bulk carriers.
The attacks on the MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa have sent shockwaves through India’s maritime workforce. Seafarers’ unions have demanded stronger protections, including armed guards on Indian-flagged vessels and diplomatic pressure on regional powers to de-escalate tensions. “Our sailors are not cannon fodder in someone else’s war,” said Amar Singh Thapa, general secretary of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI). “The government must ensure their safety, not just through tracking but through concrete action at the international level.”
The Indian government’s response reflects a growing recognition of the risks facing its seafarers. In 2023, after the MT Mercer Street attack, New Delhi quietly expanded its naval presence in the Gulf of Oman, deploying additional warships and surveillance assets. However, it has stopped short of joining the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), a 38-nation coalition that conducts patrols in the region. Instead, India has opted for a more independent approach, coordinating with regional partners like Oman and the United Arab Emirates while avoiding direct alignment with Western powers.
Background and Context: The Strait of Hormuz as a Battleground
The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran, which controls the northern shore of the strait, has repeatedly threatened to close it in response to Western sanctions or military pressure. In 2019, tensions peaked after the U.S. withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and imposed sweeping economic restrictions, leading to a series of attacks on oil tankers. While Iran has denied direct involvement in most incidents, Western intelligence agencies have attributed many attacks to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or its proxy groups.
The current wave of attacks began in early 2026, following the collapse of indirect negotiations between Iran and the U.S. over a revived nuclear agreement. Since then, the region has seen a surge in maritime incidents, including:
– February 2026: A drone strike on the MT Pacific Zircon, a Singapore-flagged tanker, killed three crew members.
– April 2026: The MT Horizon Star, a Greek-owned vessel, was hit by a limpet mine, causing a fire but no casualties.
– May 2026: A U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Laboon, intercepted an Iranian drone near the strait, escalating tensions further.
The attacks on the MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa represent a dangerous escalation, not just in terms of casualties but also in the sophistication of the strikes. Maritime security experts note that the use of multiple projectiles in quick succession suggests a level of coordination not seen in previous incidents. “This was not a lone wolf attack,” said Captain Rahul Khanna, a former Indian Navy officer and head of maritime risk at Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty. “The attackers had intelligence on the vessels’ routes and timing. That points to state-level involvement or at least state-level support.”
Competing Claims and Uncertainty: Who Is Behind the Attacks?
The Indian government has not publicly attributed the attacks to any specific group or nation. This cautious approach reflects New Delhi’s delicate balancing act in the region. On one hand, India has deep economic ties with Iran, including a long-standing agreement to import Iranian oil despite U.S. sanctions. On the other, it relies on security cooperation with the U.S. and Gulf Arab states to protect its energy supplies and maritime trade.
Western intelligence agencies, including the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the UK’s MI6, have privately briefed their Indian counterparts that the attacks bear the hallmarks of Iranian-backed groups. However, no direct evidence has been made public. Iran, for its part, has denied any involvement, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani stating, “Iran has always been a guarantor of security in the Persian Gulf and will continue to ensure the safety of maritime navigation.”
The lack of clear attribution has left shipping companies and seafarers in a state of uncertainty. Many vessels have begun taking longer, more circuitous routes to avoid the strait, adding days to voyages and increasing fuel costs. The alternative route, around the Cape of Good Hope, can add up to two weeks to a journey from the Gulf to Europe, significantly disrupting global supply chains.
What to Watch Next: Will India’s Tracking System Be Enough?
The Indian government’s real-time monitoring initiative is a step toward mitigating risks, but its effectiveness remains untested. The system relies on AIS data, which, while useful for tracking vessel movements, has limitations. AIS signals can be spoofed or disabled, and the system does not provide real-time visual confirmation of an attack. Moreover, the sheer volume of traffic in the strait—over 1,000 vessels transit daily—means that even with advanced monitoring, response times may be too slow to prevent casualties.
Key questions to watch in the coming weeks:
1. Will India expand its naval presence? The Indian Navy currently has two warships deployed in the Gulf of Oman, but this may not be sufficient to cover the vast area of operations. There are reports that New Delhi is considering deploying additional assets, including maritime patrol aircraft, to enhance surveillance.
2. Will the U.S. and its allies increase pressure on Iran? The Biden administration has already warned of “consequences” for any attacks on commercial shipping, but it remains unclear what form those consequences might take. Previous U.S. responses have included targeted sanctions and cyber operations, but these have done little to deter further attacks.
3. How will shipping companies respond? Many global shipping firms are already rerouting vessels to avoid the strait, but this is not a sustainable long-term solution. Some companies may push for armed guards on vessels, a practice that has been controversial due to the risk of escalation.
4. Will India join the Combined Maritime Forces? While New Delhi has so far avoided formal participation in the U.S.-led coalition, the latest attacks may force a reassessment. Joining the CMF would provide India with greater intelligence-sharing and operational coordination but could also draw it into direct confrontation with Iran.
5. What will be the economic impact? The attacks have already led to a spike in insurance premiums for vessels transiting the strait. If the situation deteriorates further, it could disrupt global oil supplies, leading to higher fuel prices and inflationary pressures.
Conclusion: A Test for India’s Maritime Security Strategy
The attacks on the MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa have exposed the vulnerabilities of India’s seafarers in a region increasingly defined by geopolitical rivalry. While the government’s real-time tracking system is a welcome step, it is not a panacea. The safety of Indian sailors ultimately depends on broader diplomatic and military efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.
For now, India finds itself walking a tightrope—balancing its economic interests with Iran, its security partnerships with the U.S. and Gulf states, and its moral obligation to protect its citizens. The coming weeks will test whether New Delhi can navigate these competing pressures without being drawn into a conflict it has long sought to avoid.
One thing is clear: the stakes could not be higher. With over 250,000 Indian seafarers employed worldwide, the Hormuz corridor is not just a shipping lane—it is a lifeline for India’s maritime workforce. The government’s response will determine whether that lifeline holds or snaps under the weight of geopolitical strife.
Story synopsis gathered from: [The Hindu](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-to-monitor-indian-sailors-status-in-real-time-as-hormuz-conflict-claims-more-lives/article71221875.ece) — source.
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source.
