Drone Attack on Indian Merchant Vessel in Arabian Sea: Crew Safe

An Indian merchant vessel with 21 crew members came under a suspected drone attack off the Porbandar coast in the Arabian Sea. Despite the incident, no casualties were reported. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard promptly responded to assist the vessel.

On December 23, a merchant vessel carrying 21 Indian crew members was struck by a suspected drone approximately 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast in the Arabian Sea. Despite the attack, there were fortunately no reported casualties.

Heightened Tensions in the Region

This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region, as Iran-backed Houthi rebels have escalated attacks on ships in the Red Sea during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The attack on the merchant vessel further underscores the volatile security situation in these waters.

Swift Response from Indian Authorities

In response to the attack, the Indian Navy promptly deployed a P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft to assess the situation. The aircraft confirmed the safety of the vessel, identified as MV Chem Pluto, and its crew.

Additionally, the Indian Navy dispatched a frontline warship to provide assistance to the merchant ship, while the Indian Coast Guard diverted its ship ICGS Vikram to the area of the incident, ensuring a coordinated response to the situation.

International Collaboration and Investigation

The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), which operates under the British Royal Navy, reported receiving information about the attack. According to the UKMTO, an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) targeted the vessel, resulting in an explosion and fire.

The UKMTO confirmed that the fire was extinguished and there were no casualties. Authorities are currently investigating the incident, and vessels in the area are advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activities to the UKMTO.

Background of the Vessel

The vessel involved in the incident, MV Chem Pluto, was sailing under a Liberian flag and was transporting crude oil from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia to Mangalore, India.

Following the attack, the vessel reportedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), which is used for tracking ships. The vessel is currently heading towards the nearest port for further assistance.

The attack on the Indian merchant vessel highlights the ongoing security challenges in the Arabian Sea. The prompt response from Indian authorities and international collaboration demonstrate the importance of cooperation in ensuring maritime safety and protecting seafarers.