An Indian-flagged commercial cargo vessel identified as MT Marivex, navigating the volatile maritime corridors off the coast of Oman, was struck by an unidentified explosive object, suspected to be a drone or missile, which breached the ship’s engine room, ignited a catastrophic fire, and caused widespread alarm throughout the international shipping industry.

According to reports, the vessel, identified as a mechanised cargo carrier operating from the state of Gujarat, was transiting the waters near the highly strategic Strait of Hormuz when the assault occurred.

On board the ship, Indian seafarers became trapped within the severely burning structure, dispatching urgent and distressed distress signals as the vessel rapidly began taking on water.

The Indian Navy has been placed on high alert following reports of the attack on the vessel, which carries a complement of 24 Indian crew members.

 

The vessel’s coordinates were last logged near latitude 20°57.07’N, longitude 59°08.13’E in the Arabian Sea, adjacent to the Omani coast.

At present, the definitive origin of the explosive strike remains unverified, and official updates regarding the physical condition of the crew members are pending.

Director in the Shipping Division of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Opesh Kumar Sharma said in a press conference, "There has been a recent report that today, around 1:30 pm, there has been a fire reported on a vessel, MT Marivex, in which there were 24 Indian seafarers. This is the preliminary information which we have received, based on which, as per available information, all Indian seafarers are presently safe. We are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, our Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, Ministry of Defence to ensure their safety"

Preceding Maritime Assaults

The incident follows a similar maritime attack within Omani jurisdiction on May 13, 2026, when the MSV Haji Ali, an Indian-flagged motorised wooden dhow, was subjected to an aerial strike while transiting from Somalia to the United Arab Emirates.

Though that prior bombardment resulted in a severe conflagration that ultimately sank the vessel, the Omani Coast Guard and the Royal Oman Police successfully evacuated all 14 Indian crew members from the foundering ship. The assault drew sharp diplomatic condemnation from India's Ministry of External Affairs.

Additionally, Indian commercial vessels encountered hostile fire and verbal warnings from Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps gunboats during the early spring of 2026 while attempting passage through the contested Strait of Hormuz.