New Delhi probes Gulf vessel strike

New Delhi is examining the circumstances of a strike on the MSV Haji Ali, an India-flagged wooden cargo vessel that caught fire and sank off Oman, as the incident sharpens concern over the safety of civilian shipping near the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel, carrying livestock from Somalia to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates, was hit in Omani waters in the early hours of Wednesday. All 14 crew members survived and were rescued by Omani authorities. No group or state has been identified as responsible, and the nature of the projectile or weapon has not been conclusively established.

Officials said the ship appears to have been struck by an unidentified explosive object before flames spread on board. Maritime security monitors and industry officials have pointed to the possibility of a drone or missile strike, but investigators are still working to verify radar traces, distress communications, rescue records and other navigational data from the area.

The Ministry of External Affairs described the attack as unacceptable and said commercial shipping and civilian mariners should not be targeted. It also thanked Oman for the rescue operation, while underlining that freedom of navigation and maritime commerce must not be impeded.

The episode has placed renewed pressure on maritime agencies to assess the vulnerability of smaller commercial vessels operating along Gulf routes. Wooden dhows and livestock carriers often run on established trading lanes connecting the Horn of Africa, Oman and the UAE, but their limited defensive capability and lower visibility compared with large tankers make them more exposed during periods of military tension.

The Haji Ali was part of a long-standing regional trade network that moves livestock, food supplies and general cargo across the Arabian Sea and Gulf waters. Its destruction is likely to raise insurance, compliance and routing questions for vessel owners engaged in low-margin trade between East Africa and Gulf ports.

A co-owner of the vessel has called for a transparent inquiry, saying the strike destroyed a civilian ship engaged in lawful maritime trade. The owner urged authorities to coordinate with Oman and the UAE to preserve radar logs, satellite data, rescue reports and port documentation that may help establish the sequence of events.

The sinking came against a tense security backdrop around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors. A substantial share of global seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas moves through the narrow waterway, making attacks on commercial vessels a concern not only for shipowners but also for energy importers, insurers and governments seeking to keep supply chains stable.

India has a direct stake in the security of the route because it relies heavily on Gulf crude, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and fertiliser shipments. Several India-bound energy carriers have continued to move through the area despite heightened risks, with authorities monitoring their passage closely.

The attack has also revived concerns over spillover risks from wider regional hostilities. Shipping lanes around Oman, the UAE and the Strait of Hormuz have faced repeated disruption over the past several years through seizures, drone incidents, mines, missile strikes and harassment of commercial traffic. Even when large vessels are not directly targeted, uncertainty can alter insurance premiums, chartering decisions and crew deployment.

New Delhi’s response so far has avoided assigning blame while seeking to establish facts. That approach reflects the diplomatic sensitivity of the Gulf, where India maintains close economic and labour ties with several governments while also trying to protect energy flows and citizens employed in maritime sectors.

Oman’s role in rescuing the crew has drawn appreciation because its coastguard and maritime authorities have often acted as first responders in emergencies near the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. The rescue reduced the immediate human cost of the attack, but the loss of the vessel has left unresolved questions over accountability and compensation.

For the shipping industry, the incident adds another layer of uncertainty to voyages near conflict-sensitive waters. Larger tankers and gas carriers typically operate with tracking, security advisories and risk protocols, but smaller merchant vessels can be harder to monitor and may lack access to the same level of commercial intelligence.

The inquiry is expected to focus on the vessel’s last known position, communication records, cargo documents, crew statements and possible surveillance data from nearby maritime assets. Investigators will also examine whether the ship was deliberately targeted, struck accidentally, or caught in a wider exchange involving other parties.