Staff Correspondent, Dhaka:
The latest attack on the cargo vessel GFS Galaxy in the Strait of Hormuz has once again exposed the growing vulnerability of one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, raising concerns over India’s energy security, commercial shipping and the safety of thousands of Indian seafarers working in the region.
The Cyprus-flagged vessel, carrying 11 Indian crew members, came under attack off the coast of Oman while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Ten Indian nationals were rescued, while one remains missing as search operations continue.
The incident is significant because the Strait of Hormuz serves as the primary gateway for oil exports from the Gulf. Around one-fifth of global crude oil and a substantial portion of liquefied natural gas (LNG) pass through the narrow waterway every day. For India, which imports nearly 85 percent of its crude oil requirements, the route is indispensable. Any prolonged disruption could increase freight costs, delay energy supplies and place upward pressure on domestic fuel prices.
The attack also signals that maritime security risks are spreading beyond the Red Sea into the Gulf region. Since late 2023, commercial vessels have increasingly become targets amid escalating geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, the United States and Yemen’s Houthi movement. Shipping companies have already been forced to reroute vessels around Africa to avoid the Red Sea, adding weeks to delivery schedules and significantly increasing transportation and insurance costs.
For India, the latest incident recalls the drone strike on the MV Chem Pluto in December 2023. The Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned chemical tanker, carrying 21 Indian crew members, was hit approximately 200 nautical miles off the Gujarat coast in the Arabian Sea. The United States blamed Iran-backed elements for the attack, making it one of the closest security threats to Indian-linked commercial shipping in recent years. Around the same period, another merchant vessel with Indian crew, MV Sai Baba, also came under attack in the southern Red Sea.
These repeated incidents underscore the growing risks faced by Indian seafarers, who form one of the world’s largest maritime workforces. More than 300,000 Indian sailors serve aboard international merchant vessels, many operating through the Gulf and Red Sea, making their safety an increasingly important strategic concern.
Beyond the immediate humanitarian impact, continued attacks threaten global supply chains and international trade. They also reinforce the need for stronger international maritime cooperation, enhanced naval patrols and diplomatic efforts to reduce regional tensions.
As instability persists across the Middle East, ensuring the security of sea lanes through the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters has become not only a regional priority but also a matter of economic and strategic importance for countries like India that depend heavily on uninterrupted maritime trade.
