Indian-Crewed Tanker ‘Bokhem Marengo’ Hit by Drone Strike in Strait of Hormuz Despite US Naval Escort

New Delhi: In the early hours of June 13, an oil and chemical tanker passing through the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unmanned drone. Every crew member aboard was Indian and fortunately, all of them survived.
The vessel, the Bokhem Marengo, flew a Hong Kong flag and was managed by Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (India) Private Limited. At the time of the attack, it was travelling under US NCAGS naval escort. It means the vessel was moving through the strait under American military oversight. That did not stop it from being hit.

What was damaged?

The strike affected three sections of the ship. Two port-side water ballast tanks were damaged. These were used to keep the vessel balanced, and was a port-side cargo tank where oil or chemicals are stored. Despite the damage, the ship did not sink and was able to continue moving. It eventually made its way to Fujairah, a UAE port known for ship repairs, where the shipping company has sent a specialist team to inspect and fix the vessel.

What is the bigger picture?

The Hormuz strait handles a significant share of the world's oil trade. The US has imposed a blockade on the waterway, effectively requiring its permission for vessels to pass through. Iran has been hitting back. Caught in the middle are sailors, most of them Indian, who have no stake in this conflict.
This is not the first time Indian seafarers have paid the price. Earlier, a merchant vessel called the MT Setebello, sailing under a Palauan flag but crewed entirely by 24 Indian sailors, was struck by the US Navy. Twenty-one were rescued and three were killed.
India had already registered strong objections over the repeated attacks in the Hormuz region. Those objections have done little to stop them.

What's the story behind this all?

The Strait of Hormuz has become a war zone in all. Talks of a peace deal between the US and Iran are ongoing, but nothing has been confirmed and nothing has been signed. Meanwhile, the attacks keep continuing. The ones paying the heaviest price are Indian sailors, for few days. Ship after ship passing through and hit at the Hormuz.

India has formally objected to the repeated targeting of vessels carrying its nationals. Those objections have been noted, acknowledged and ignored. The strikes have not stopped.