Indian-Flagged Desh Garima Safely Crosses Hormuz, Bound For Mumbai

An Indian-flagged crude tanker safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz though two other ships were forced to turn back due to firing incidents near them.

According to an official statement, the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker Desh Garima safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 18. “The vessel, with 31 Indian seafarers onboard, is expected to arrive at Mumbai on April 22, it stated.

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“In the past 24 hours, two Indian vessels, VLCC Samnar Herad and Bulk Carrier Jag Arnav, reported a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, following which they returned to the Persian Gulf. There has been no injury to any crew reported,” it said.

Two Indian-flagged vessels — the Sanmar Herald and the Jag Arnav — were

crossing the Strait of Hormuz when they were fired upon by the boats of the Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The incident marked the first time an Indian vessel faced an attack from the Iranian forces since the February 28 conflict began.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) held discussions with Iran’s Ambassador following the firing incident. Indian officials urged the Ambassador to communicate with headquarters and provide assurance that ships would be allowed to pass freely before clearance is granted for transit through the Strait.

Since the war in West Asia broke out, multiple Indian-flagged vessels have safely crossed the war-torn waterway in recent weeks — the MT Desh Garima passed the strait at 1 P.M. on Saturday and is headed to Mumbai.

Previously, at least nine vessels — including Jag Vikram, Green Sanvi, Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Jag Laadki, and Jag Vasant, among others — have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz.