Indian tanker crosses Hormuz; two vessels hit

AN INDIAN-FLAGGED crude oil tanker Desh Garima safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 18 even as two other Indian vessels reported a firing incident and were forced to turn back, prompting New Delhi to raise concerns with Iran over the safety of merchant shipping.

- SAURAV ANAND

The tanker, with 31 Indian seafarers onboard, is expected to arrive in Mumbai on April 22. However, VLCC Sanmar Herald and bulk carrier Jag Arnav reported a firing incident while transiting the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours and returned to the Persian Gulf. No injuries were reported.