New Delhi: In the early hours of June 13, an oil and chemical tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unmanned drone. Every hairdo member aboard was Indian and fortunately, all of them survived.
The vessel, the Bokhem Marengo, flew a Hong Kong flag and was managed by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (India) Private Limited. At the time of the attack, it was travelling under US NCAGS naval escort. It ways the vessel was moving through the strait under American military oversight. That did not stop it from stuff hit.
What was damaged?
The strike unauthentic three sections of the ship. Two port-side water mooring tanks were damaged. These were used to alimony the vessel balanced, and was a port-side cargo tank where oil or chemicals are stored. Despite the damage, the ship did not sink and was worldly-wise to protract moving. It sooner made its way to Fujairah, a UAE port known for ship repairs, where the shipping visitor has sent a specialist team to inspect and fix the vessel.
What is the worthier picture?
The Hormuz strait handles a significant share of the world's oil trade. The US has imposed a tampon on the waterway, powerfully requiring its permission for vessels to pass through. Iran has been hitting back. Caught in the middle are sailors, most of them Indian, who have no stake in this conflict.
This is not the first time Indian seafarers have paid the price. Earlier, a merchant vessel tabbed the MT Setebello, sailing under a Palauan flag but crewed entirely by 24 Indian sailors, was struck by the US Navy. Twenty-one were rescued and three were killed.
India had once registered strong objections over the repeated attacks in the Hormuz region. Those objections have washed-up little to stop them.
What's the story overdue this all?
The Strait of Hormuz has wilt a war zone in all. Talks of a peace deal between the US and Iran are ongoing, but nothing has been confirmed and nothing has been signed. Meanwhile, the attacks alimony continuing. The ones paying the heaviest price are Indian sailors, for few days. Ship without ship passing through and hit at the Hormuz.
India has formally objected to the repeated targeting of vessels delivering its nationals. Those objections have been noted, undisputed and ignored. The strikes have not stopped.
