The mechanised sailing vessel MSV Faize Noore Oliya capsized and sank in the Red Sea on Tuesday after being struck by an unidentified projectile. All 14 people aboard, comprising 13 nationals of India and one Yemeni crew member, were rescued safely by the Yemeni Coast Guard.
The Ministry of External Affairs said attacks on commercial vessels in West Asia were a serious cause for concern and deplored the continued exposure of civilian mariners to violence. It confirmed that the rescued crew members were safe after being brought ashore.
Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the vessel was operating near Yemeni waters when the projectile hit it. The impact caused extensive damage and led to the vessel overturning before it went down.
No organisation has claimed responsibility for the strike, and authorities have not identified the type of projectile used. Details about the ship’s cargo, its point of departure and its intended destination were not immediately disclosed.
The rescue prevented casualties in a maritime corridor that has become one of the world’s most dangerous commercial shipping routes. The Red Sea connects the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Suez Canal. It carries energy supplies, consumer goods and bulk commodities between Asia, Europe and Africa.
The attack has renewed concerns over the vulnerability of smaller cargo vessels that operate between ports in the Arabian Peninsula, East Africa and South Asia. Mechanised sailing vessels are widely used for regional trade and often carry food, livestock, construction materials and other general cargo.
Their lower speeds, limited defensive capabilities and proximity to conflict-affected coastlines can leave them exposed to drones, missiles and other projectiles. Crews on such vessels may also have less access to the sophisticated security systems fitted aboard larger container ships and oil tankers.
Shipping traffic in the Red Sea and adjoining waters has faced sustained disruption since late 2023, when Yemen’s Houthi movement began attacking vessels it alleged were linked to Israel or its allies. The attacks prompted many international shipping companies to divert vessels around Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.
Those diversions added thousands of nautical miles to voyages between Asia and Europe, raising fuel expenses, insurance costs and delivery times. Some operators have continued using the Red Sea route with naval escorts, enhanced monitoring and additional security measures.
Tuesday’s incident occurred amid heightened instability across West Asia and growing concern about the safety of seafarers. Ships with crew members from India have been caught in multiple attacks, detentions and accidents across the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
India is among the world’s largest suppliers of trained maritime personnel. Its sailors work aboard oil tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and specialised vessels operated by companies across several jurisdictions. The large overseas workforce has made seafarer protection an important diplomatic and maritime-security priority.
Authorities have repeatedly urged vessel operators to follow security advisories, maintain communication with regional maritime centres and avoid high-risk areas where possible. Shipowners are also expected to ensure that crews are properly briefed on emergency procedures and that lifesaving equipment remains accessible during attacks.
The Yemeni Coast Guard’s swift intervention helped bring all 14 survivors to safety. Officials did not disclose whether any crew member required medical treatment or whether arrangements had been made for the 13 nationals of India to return home.
(IPA Service)
