Oil Tanker Al Dasma Hit by Projectile in Strait of Hormuz - All 21 Indian Seafarers Safe

Incident Date: 21 October 2026
Location: Strait of Hormuz, near Bukha, Oman
Vessel: M/T Al Dasma
Flag: Kuwait
Vessel Type: Oil Product Tanker

Currently the vessel is anchored at Dubai port

The Incident

Kuwait-flagged oil product tanker Al Dasma, carrying 21 Indian seafarers, was struck by an unidentified projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on 21 October 2026. All 21 Indian crew members and the remaining crew aboard the vessel were reported safe, with no casualties confirmed.

The incident was reported approximately 11 nautical miles west of Bukha, Oman. Reports indicated that the impact triggered a fire aboard the tanker, which was subsequently extinguished. The vessel reportedly remained stationary following the incident. The projectile’s origin, the party responsible and the extent of any damage have not been officially established.

India’s Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the safety of the Indian seafarers and said authorities were monitoring the situation in coordination with the vessel’s management company.

Impact on Maritime Trade

The incident adds to mounting security concerns for commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with international shipping routes through the Gulf of Oman. The passage is particularly important for global crude oil and petroleum-product movements.

Repeated attacks on merchant vessels can increase war-risk insurance premiums, prompt shipping companies to reassess voyage plans and create uncertainty around delivery schedules. Tanker operators, charterers and cargo owners may face additional costs if security risks persist or vessels are delayed.

Logisticswall Analysis

The attack on oil tanker Al Dasma highlights the continuing exposure of merchant shipping to security threats in one of the world's most strategically important energy corridors. Although all crew members were reported safe, incidents of this nature can have consequences beyond the vessel itself, affecting tanker availability, freight costs, insurance conditions and the reliability of energy supply chains.

For Indian maritime trade, the safety of seafarers remains a critical concern, particularly when Indian nationals serve aboard foreign-flagged vessels operating in high-risk waters. The immediate priority is the protection of the crew and the establishment of the facts surrounding the incident, while the wider shipping industry must continue to account for elevated security risks when planning operations through the region.