SOURCE :- SIASAT NEWS
Doha: A Qatar-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker carrying fuel to Pakistan was hit by unidentified objects in the Arabian Gulf on Friday evening, October 30, as it approached the Strait of Hormuz. All 25 crew members, including six Indian seafarers, were reported safe.
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, M/T Al Mayeda, is owned by Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat).
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the safety of the Indian crew members in a post on X on Saturday, October 31. He said all six Indian nationals and the remaining crew members were safe following the incident.
Sonowal added that India was monitoring the situation and remained in contact with the ship management company to ensure the well-being of the seafarers.
According to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on Sunday, November 1, the tanker was hit by unidentified objects while sailing in the Arabian Gulf. No crew members were injured, and the incident caused no environmental damage. Nakilat said the vessel remained safe and operational.
Pakistan sought Iran’s approval for Qatar LNG tanker
Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter, reported that Pakistan had approached Iran to secure safe passage for the Qatar LNG tanker before the attack.
Iranian authorities had reportedly approved the vessel’s transit through the Strait of Hormuz before it was hit as it approached the strategic waterway.
The tanker was carrying Qatari LNG destined for Pakistan, according to the report.
Qatar condemns attack on LNG tanker
Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a threat to maritime navigation and global energy supplies.
In a statement on X on Sunday, November 1, the ministry said Qatar reserved the right to take necessary measures under international law and the United Nations Charter to protect its assets, vessels and crews.
It added that an investigation had been launched to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify those responsible.
The ministry also warned that attacks on energy carriers could have serious repercussions for regional stability, the global economy, the marine environment and water security across the region.
More than 120 commercial vessels hit during war
The attack comes amid growing risks to commercial shipping in the region. More than 120 commercial vessels have been hit since the start of the war, according to data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Iran, which closed the Strait of Hormuz early in the conflict, has repeatedly warned that vessels attempting to cross the strategic waterway without its permission would face “destruction”.
Attacks on commercial shipping have increased since the United States reimposed a blockade on Iran’s southern ports in July.
October recorded at least 29 vessels being hit, making it the worst month for commercial shipping during the conflict. In comparison, 20 attacks were recorded in March.
SOURCE : SIASAT
