India-Bound Thai Ship Attacked in Strait of Hormuz Amid Regional Tensions

On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, a Thai-flagged bulk carrier, the 'Mayuree Naree,' was attacked by projectiles in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, sparking a fire and causing significant damage to the vessel. The ship, owned by Thai transport company Precious Shipping, was en route from Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates to Kandla port in Gujarat, India, when the incident occurred. The attack took place approximately 11 nautical miles off the northern coast of Oman. The Royal Thai Navy confirmed the attack, stating that 20 of the 23 Thai crew members aboard the 'Mayuree Naree' were successfully rescued by the Omani Navy and brought to safety in Khasab, Oman. However, three crew members are still reported missing and are believed to be trapped in the ship's engine room, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Photos released by the Royal Thai Navy depicted heavy black smoke billowing from the vessel's hull and superstructure, with life rafts visible in the water. The ship, 178 meters long and displacing 30,000 tonnes, was reportedly moving slowly at little more than one knot off the Omani coast after the incident. The attack on the 'Mayuree Naree' was part of a series of incidents on the same day, with at least two other commercial vessels also being struck in or around the Strait of Hormuz. These included the Japan-flagged container ship 'One Majesty' and the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier 'Star Gwyneth,' both of which sustained partial damage, though their crews were reported safe. Maritime security agencies and sources indicated that the 'Mayuree Naree' suffered the most severe damage among the targeted ships. Significantly, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack on the 'Mayuree Naree,' stating that the vessel was targeted after it reportedly ignored warnings from the IRGC Navy while attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. This claim comes amidst heightened tensions in the West Asia region, with Iran intensifying attacks on vessels and threatening to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz if US-Israeli attacks continue. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and gas flows, making any disruption a major concern for international trade and energy security. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) swiftly condemned the attack on the Thai vessel. In an official statement, the MEA deplored the targeting of commercial shipping and emphasized that such actions endanger innocent civilian crew members and impede freedom of navigation and commerce. The statement highlighted the severe human cost of escalating hostilities, noting that precious lives, including those of Indian citizens, had already been lost in multiple similar attacks during earlier phases of the conflict in the region, and that the intensity and lethality of these attacks appear to be increasing. The MEA reiterated India's long-standing position on respecting freedom of navigation and ensuring maritime commerce safety, particularly in crucial global shipping corridors like the Strait of Hormuz. The government had previously issued advisories to Indian ships to avoid transiting the Strait of Hormuz where feasible, and to undertake dynamic risk assessments, maintain enhanced security, and ensure emergency preparedness for various scenarios. Reports earlier in March 2026 indicated that numerous Indian-flagged ships and over a thousand Indian crew members were already stranded in the Persian Gulf region due to escalating tensions. The incident underscores the growing risks to maritime traffic and seafarers in the volatile Middle East. Authorities from Thailand, Oman, and international maritime forces are coordinating efforts for search, rescue, and investigation into the attack.

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