MASCAT: A cargo vessel registered in India has sunk in the Gulf of Oman following a suspected attack, sparking concerns over maritime security in the region and raising questions within India about the government’s ability to protect its commercial interests.
The ship, MSV Haji Ali, registered in Gujarat, went down after a mysterious assault near the coast of Oman. The vessel was transporting approximately 4,000 sheep and goats from the disputed African territory of Somaliland to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
According to reports, the 57-meter-long ship departed Berbera Port in Somaliland on May 5, heading for Sharjah Port in the UAE as part of a livestock trade mission. Early in the morning of May 13, around 3:30 a.m., the ship came under attack near the Limah area off the coast of Oman.
Media reports suggest the vessel may have been targeted by a drone strike, though the perpetrators remain unidentified. A fire broke out on board, spreading rapidly and eventually causing the ship to capsize and sink.
All 14 crew members, who were Indian nationals, sent out a distress signal and evacuated the vessel using lifeboats. The Oman Coast Guard conducted a swift rescue operation, bringing all crew members safely to Dibba Port. Shipowner Sultan Ahmed Singhar confirmed that everyone on board was safe.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs condemned the incident as an “unacceptable attack,” emphasizing that civilian vessels should never be targeted under any circumstances. No group or country has claimed responsibility for the assault so far.
The *MSV Haji Ali* was registered at the port of Salaya in Gujarat’s Dwarka district, a historic center of maritime trade. The sinking comes shortly after another vessel from Salaya, *Alfaiz Noor Sulamani-1*, was reportedly destroyed in crossfire near the Strait of Hormuz, heightening fears among local traders who rely heavily on Gulf trade routes for exports and imports.
Indian media reports note that rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran, along with increased military activity in the Gulf, have made the Arabian Sea and Gulf region increasingly sensitive.
This area, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes, handles millions of barrels of oil and large volumes of cargo daily. Experts say the attack on an Indian cargo ship is not just a maritime accident but a signal of growing geopolitical risks, particularly for Indian traders and seafarers who have depended on Gulf trade routes for decades.
