Tanker carrying 1,35,335 metric tons of crude reaches Mumbai
What's the story
A Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker, Shenlong Suezmax, has reached Mumbai port after successfully transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura port and was captained by an Indian. The tanker had loaded its cargo from Ras Tanura on March 1 and departed two days later. It was tracked in the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before temporarily going off tracking systems.
Ship
Vessel tracked in high-risk region
The Shenlong Suezmax had reportedly switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder while passing through the high-risk Strait of Hormuz. It reappeared on tracking systems on March 9. The vessel docked at Mumbai Port at 1:00pm on Wednesday and was berthed at Jawahar Dweep by 6:06pm. Carrying 1,35,335 metric tons of crude oil, it is set to supply refineries in Mahul, eastern Mumbai, with an expected discharge time of around 36 hours.
Diplomatic resolution
Ship's successful transit
The tanker is owned by Shenlong Shipping Ltd and managed by Dynacom Tanker Management Ltd of Athens. It has a crew of 29, including Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino nationals with an Indian captain. In recent days, Iran has intensified monitoring and restrictions on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that vessels wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must seek Iranian permission or they could become targets of Iranian attacks.
Shipping security
Shipping ministry sets up control room
On Wednesday, the Shipping Ministry confirmed that 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf region. Of these, 24 vessels with 677 Indian seafarers are west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels with 101 Indian seafarers are east of it. A control room has been set up at the ministry and Directorate General of Shipping since February 28 to monitor developments and coordinate assistance for these ships.
Security threats
Iran's warning on oil prices
Iran has attacked at least 16 ships in the Strait since late February, raising fears of disruptions to global oil supplies. The Iranian army has targeted a container ship off Dubai's coast and a major Saudi oil field with a drone. Tehran has also warned that oil prices could spike to $200/barrel. "Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because....oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilized," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said.