Third Ship With Indian Crew Attacked Near Oman as Gulf Shipping Risk Climbs

The conflict in the Gulf is now striking commercial shipping directly. The Hindu reported that a third vessel carrying an Indian crew was attacked near Oman within four days, the asphalt tanker Jalveer, which had about 20 Indian seafarers aboard. The Russian agency RIA Novosti reported, citing United States Central Command, that American forces disabled the tanker, which flies the flag of Guinea-Bissau, after accusing it of carrying Iranian oil in violation of Washington's blockade. All of its crew members were reported safe, with no casualties.

The cost has been measured in lives on a separate ship. In its running coverage, the Hindu reported that three Indian seafarers were confirmed dead after a United States strike on a tanker off the Omani coast, an attack that prompted India to lodge a formal protest with Washington.

The accounts of who struck which vessel differ by source, but the combined effect is clear. Crews from India, which supplies a large share of the world's merchant seafarers, are being drawn into a maritime conflict that is raising the cost and danger of moving oil through one of the busiest corridors in global trade.