Nineteen Indian sailors had a narrow escape when the crude oil tanker Dominica Prosperity was struck by a projectile off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE Coast Guard rescued all 22 crew members, including 19 Indian nationals, after the projectile hit the ship’s engine room and started a fire. India’s Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that the Indian sailors were safe.
The attack, on 11 November 2026 about 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, was one of four tanker attacks in the Gulf region in two days. Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains heavily disrupted by the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel. In this Election Guru explainer we cover what happened, the other attacks, the shipping crisis, why it matters for India’s oil supply and seafarers, and the government’s response.
Tanker Attack Off UAE at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Dominica Prosperity, crude oil tanker |
| Flag | Liberia |
| Operator | Sinokor Maritime (South Korea), per Reuters citing MARISKS |
| Location | About 14 nm northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, near Mina Saqr |
| Date / time | 11 November 2026, about 1800 UTC |
| Attack | Unidentified projectile hit the engine room; fire broke out |
| Crew | 22, all evacuated by UAE Coast Guard |
| Indians on board | 19, all safe |
| Responsibility | Not individually established |
What Happened
According to maritime security firm Ambrey, the tanker was struck near the stern as it exited the Strait of Hormuz. An unidentified projectile hit the engine room and a fire broke out. The UAE Coast Guard evacuated all 22 crew members. Reports differ on injuries: gCaptain reported no injuries on this vessel, while some Indian outlets said a few crew members were injured, including one Indian with minor injuries. Minister Sonowal said the Indian nationals were not injured. The extent of damage to the ship and any environmental impact were not immediately known.
Four Tanker Attacks in Two Days
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) listed several tanker attacks since its previous advisory:
| Vessel | Date | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fujairah Energy | 10 November | Arabian Gulf, eastbound | Projectile strike; several crew injured and taken ashore |
| Unidentified tanker | 10 November | About 19 nm NE of Lima, Oman | Projectile strike; crew safe |
| NCC Fajr (Saudi-flagged) | 11 November | Strait of Hormuz, north of Khasab, Oman | Projectile strike; all crew safe, including 3 Indians |
| Dominica Prosperity | 11 November | Off Ras Al Khaimah, UAE | Engine room fire; all 22 crew rescued |
JMIC counts 181 maritime security incidents since 1 March 2026 in the region and attributes the ongoing threat to Iranian attacks and harassment, including drone overflights and surveillance of merchant ships. However, it said the perpetrators of the four latest projectile attacks “have not been individually established”.
Strait of Hormuz: Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman, is the world’s most important oil chokepoint. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil passes through it, along with large volumes of liquefied natural gas from Qatar. Any disruption there affects global oil prices immediately.
| Indicator | Current Situation (Nov 2026) |
|---|---|
| Traffic through Hormuz | Well below pre-conflict levels |
| Daily transits | Single-digit to low-double-digit (independent tracking); about 34 US-assisted per day (US data) |
| Ships waiting | About 211 commercial vessels stationary east of Hormuz (JMIC estimate) |
| Main anchorages | Fujairah, Khor Fakkan, Sohar, Musandam |
Why This Matters for India
- Oil imports: India imports most of its crude oil, much of it from Gulf countries through or near Hormuz
- Fuel prices: disruptions push up global oil prices, affecting petrol, diesel and inflation in India
- Indian seafarers: India is one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers, and many work on Gulf tankers
- Diaspora: millions of Indians live and work in Gulf countries
- Trade routes: shipping delays raise freight and insurance costs for Indian exporters
The International Energy Agency said this week that Gulf oil supplies are recovering and the global market may return to surplus in the fourth quarter, which may ease prices somewhat. But continued attacks keep the risk high.
Also Read: Retail Inflation October 2026: CPI at 6.09%, RBI Rate Hike Likely
India’s Response
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal identified the vessel and confirmed that all 19 Indian nationals were rescued. The Directorate General of Shipping usually issues advisories to Indian seafarers and shipping companies operating in high-risk areas, and the Indian Navy has in the past deployed ships in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea to protect Indian-flagged vessels. Indian missions in the UAE coordinate with local authorities for the welfare and repatriation of crew.
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways | Oversees seafarer welfare and advisories |
| Directorate General of Shipping | Issues advisories for high-risk areas |
| Indian Navy | Maritime security operations in the region |
| Indian Embassy / Consulate in UAE | Coordination with UAE authorities for crew |
The Wider Conflict
Shipping in the Gulf has been hit hard since the start of the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Rising fuel prices linked to the war were among the issues that shaped the US midterm elections this month. Reports this week also said Israel’s intelligence chief visited the US amid speculation about a renewed push on Iran, which keeps markets nervous.
Also Read: US Midterm Election Results 2026: Democrats Win House and Senate
Safety Advice for Indian Seafarers
- Follow UKMTO and JMIC advisories when transiting the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
- Report suspicious activity, drones or radio calls to UKMTO
- Register with the Indian embassy and stay in touch with the shipping company
- Check that the ship has updated security and evacuation plans
India’s Seafarers: A Global Workforce
India is among the top suppliers of seafarers to the global shipping industry, with lakhs of Indian officers and crew working on ships worldwide, including many on tankers in the Gulf. When conflicts hit shipping lanes, Indian sailors are among the most exposed. Over the past years, India has evacuated or helped Indian crew stranded or endangered in various incidents in the Gulf and the Red Sea. Seafarer unions have repeatedly asked for stronger insurance, danger pay and the right to refuse to sail in war zones.
| Seafarer Concern | What Unions Seek |
|---|---|
| Attacks on ships | Right to refuse sailing in high-risk zones |
| Injury or death | Higher insurance and compensation |
| Stranded crew | Faster repatriation |
| Long waits at anchorage | Food, water and wage protection |
What Higher Oil Prices Mean for You
India imports most of its crude oil, so attacks near Hormuz can push up global prices and India’s import bill. If sustained, this can lead to higher petrol and diesel prices, higher transport costs and inflation in food and goods. India’s retail inflation already rose to 6.09% in October 2026. Easing supplies and a stronger rupee have helped, but more attacks could reverse that trend.
| Effect | Who Feels It |
|---|---|
| Higher crude import bill | Government and oil companies |
| Fuel price pressure | Vehicle owners, transporters |
| Freight and insurance costs | Exporters and importers |
| Inflation | All households, especially the poor |
Timeline of Recent Gulf Shipping Incidents
| Date | Incident |
|---|---|
| Since 1 March 2026 | 181 maritime security incidents counted by JMIC |
| 10 November | Fujairah Energy hit in Arabian Gulf; crew injured |
| 10 November | Unidentified tanker hit near Lima, Oman |
| 11 November | NCC Fajr hit in Strait of Hormuz; 3 Indians safe |
| 11 November | Dominica Prosperity hit off Ras Al Khaimah; 19 Indians rescued |
Election Guru Analysis
The rescue of all 19 Indian sailors is a relief, but the attack shows how dangerous Gulf waters remain. With four tankers hit in two days and more than 200 ships waiting near Hormuz, the risk to Indian seafarers, oil supplies and fuel prices is real. For India, which relies heavily on Gulf energy and has a large workforce in the region, the stability of the Strait of Hormuz is a national interest, and the government will be under pressure to protect both its citizens at sea and its energy security.
Tanker Attack Off UAE FAQ
Which tanker was attacked off the UAE?
The Liberia-flagged crude oil tanker Dominica Prosperity was struck by a projectile about 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah.
How many Indians were on board?
There were 19 Indian nationals among the 22 crew members, and all were rescued by the UAE Coast Guard.
When did the attack happen?
The attack took place on 11 November 2026 at about 1800 UTC. Some outlets reported it as 12 November in local coverage.
Who attacked the tanker?
The perpetrators have not been individually established. The maritime security centre JMIC attributes the overall threat in the region to Iranian attacks and harassment.
Were other ships attacked?
Yes. At least three other tankers, including the Saudi-flagged NCC Fajr carrying three Indian sailors, were hit by projectiles on 10-11 November.
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
About a fifth of the world’s oil passes through it, so any disruption affects global oil prices and countries like India.
What did the Indian government say?
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that all 19 Indian sailors were rescued safely.