On June 8, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) coordinated with Omani authorities to rescue all 24 Indian crew members from the Palau-flagged merchant tanker MT Marivex after it was reportedly struck by a missile off the coast of Masirah, Oman. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai received the distress information from a relative of one of the crew members, prompting a swift response. The Omani Maritime Search and Rescue Centre (OMSC) deployed two rescue helicopters and diverted a nearby vessel, successfully rescuing all crew members, who were reported safe with no casualties or injuries. The tanker, which was in ballast condition and not carrying cargo, remained anchored off Masirah.
Separately, on August 4, 2026, an Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank in the Red Sea off Yemen after being hit by a projectile. All 14 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals, were safely rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and brought to the Port of Mokha. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal condemned the attack, emphasizing the safety of Indian seafarers as a top priority and expressing concern over the increasing incidents targeting commercial shipping in the region. India has since sent two ships back to the Persian Gulf in June 2026, the first time since February of that year.
