New Delhi, India, June 8: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) on Monday confirmed that all 24 Indian seafarers aboard the oil tanker MT Marivex are safe after a fire incident was reported on the vessel south of the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking during an inter-ministerial briefing on the evolving situation in West Asia, Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director in the Shipping Division, said the fire broke out at around 1:30 pm. Preliminary reports indicate that no casualties have been reported and all Indian crew members on board are safe.
“We have received initial information regarding the incident, and as per the available details, all Indian seafarers are presently safe,” Sharma said.
The ministry has launched coordinated efforts involving the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian diplomatic missions, the Indian Navy, and the Ministry of Defence to closely monitor the situation and ensure the safety of the crew.
Officials are also in contact with the vessel’s owners and authorities in Oman to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. Sharma said it remains unclear whether the vessel was struck by a projectile, adding that investigations are underway to establish the facts.“The vessel was well south of the Strait of Hormuz and outside the immediate area of concern,” he noted.
According to the Shipping Ministry, MT Marivex was sailing in ballast condition and was not carrying any cargo at the time of the incident. The tanker had only Indian seafarers on board.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Shipping’s emergency control room continues to assist Indian seafarers and their families amid regional tensions. Sharma said the control room has handled more than 12,000 calls and over 26,800 emails since its activation. In the last 96 hours alone, authorities received 390 calls and 968 emails from seafarers, their families, and maritime stakeholders.
The ministry has also facilitated the safe repatriation of over 3,500 Indian seafarers so far, including 32 during the past four days.
Earlier, the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) had appealed for urgent assistance for the vessel off the coast of Oman through a social media post. The Embassy of India in Oman subsequently confirmed that it had established direct contact with the crew members aboard the tanker.
Officials said port operations across India remain normal, with no congestion or disruptions reported.