New Delhi, April 27: Maritime security concerns intensified after the Iranian Coast Guard fired warning shots at a Togo-flagged chemical tanker carrying Indian sailors near Oman’s Shinas Outer Port, prompting close monitoring by Indian authorities amid a series of recent incidents in the region.
The vessel, identified as MT Siron, was boarded by individuals, including Indian crew members, on April 25 when it was positioned near other ships. During the incident, the Iranian Coast Guard intervened and discharged warning shots in the vicinity of the tanker, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Officials stated that the ministry is maintaining coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and uninterrupted shipping operations. Authorities indicated that the situation is being closely monitored, with no immediate cause for alarm reported.
Data shared during an inter-ministerial briefing highlighted the scale of ongoing monitoring efforts. The Directorate General of Shipping’s control room has handled 7,780 calls and 16,650 emails, maintaining contact with 2,770 Indian vessels, of which 12 have reported updates.
The latest development follows a series of incidents involving Indian-linked vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. On April 22, a ship en route to Mundra Port in Gujarat came under attack, reportedly hours after an announcement of an indefinite ceasefire by the United States.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy had earlier stated that it had targeted and taken control of two vessels, identified as MSC Francesca and Epaminodas. According to shipping data, the Liberian-flagged Epaminodas was travelling from Jebel Ali in Dubai to Mundra when it was intercepted.
Earlier, on April 18, two Indian ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, despite having prior clearance, were also targeted. India subsequently lodged a strong protest with Iranian authorities over the incidents.
Iranian forces have claimed that the vessels were operating without authorisation, a justification cited for the actions taken against them. Independent monitoring by a British naval organisation confirmed that two ships were fired upon by gunboats, with one vessel immobilised and the other sustaining damage.
The recent sequence of events has drawn attention to the vulnerability of commercial shipping routes in West Asia, particularly in critical chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz, which is vital for global trade and energy supplies.
Indian authorities continue to assess the situation while maintaining communication with vessels and stakeholders operating in the region.
