MT LOUISE 1 Targeted by Limpet Mines in Strait of Hormuz
A Panama-flagged tanker with 27 Indian crew members was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant escalation in maritime security threats.
MT LOUISE 1 was struck by limpet mines, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished.
This incident is the first successful use of limpet mines in the area since February's conflict began.
All 29 Indian seafarers aboard two targeted vessels are reported safe with no injuries.
On Friday, the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT LOUISE 1, carrying 27 Indian crew members, was attacked by limpet mines in the Strait of Hormuz. The vessel was struck by a small craft that attached two limpet mines to its hull, leading to detonations that ignited a fire in the engine room. Fortunately, the crew managed to extinguish the flames, and the tanker was able to continue its journey without any reported environmental damage.
This incident marks a notable escalation in maritime security threats in the region, being the first successful deployment of limpet mines in the strategic waterway since the onset of hostilities in February. The British navy agency, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, confirmed that the attack occurred approximately 46 kilometers northeast of Khasab, Oman. Limpet mines have been a concern in the area since their introduction in 2017, with increasing use against tankers in subsequent years.
According to the Greece-based maritime risk management group Marisks, limpet mines are relatively inexpensive and easily accessible. They noted that the method of attaching these mines to the hulls of vessels by small crafts is both cost-effective and efficient, raising alarms about the potential for further attacks in the region.
In a related incident, the Liberia-flagged very large crude carrier MT ARZANAH, which was carrying two Indian nationals, was also attacked by projectiles just a day prior. These incidents are part of a broader pattern of assaults on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, which have intensified following the escalation of tensions between the United States and Iran.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, assured that all Indian sailors involved in both incidents are safe and unharmed. He emphasized that the government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with ship management companies to ensure the safety and security of the crew members involved.
