US Israel Iran War: The first oil tanker that has reached India via the Strait of Hormuz after the recent West Asia conflict has successfully reached Mumbai. The oil tanker has dropped its cargo and is preparing to head back towards the conflict region. Currently, another oil tanker that passed through the sensitive region is nearing India’s shores.
#WATCH | Liberia-flagged tanker ship ‘Shenlong’ enters Indian waters near Mumbai Port. It was captained by an Indian and was loaded with crude oil from the Saudi port Ras Tanura.
Latest visuals from Mumbai Port pic.twitter.com/4BWABAsZ88
— ANI (@ANI) March 12, 2026
How Did the Shenlong Tanker Reach India Amid Regional Tensions?
The Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong arrived in Mumbai on Wednesday after it left the Ras Tanura Terminal in Saudi Arabia on March 3. The voyage has been particularly challenging for the vessel as it had to cross the Strait of Hormuz during a time of security threats. However, the vessel has managed to reach India without any untoward incident.
Why Did the Crew Have to Navigate Without GPS?
The tanker also encountered disruptions to its electronic navigation aids during the journey. The officials confirmed that the tanker encountered cases of GPS spoofing and jamming. The cases of GPS spoofing caused the tanker to lose satellite navigation signals.
The tanker’s captain, Sukshant Singh Sandhu, who is a resident of Mohali, confirmed that the tanker encountered cases of losing GPS signals while crossing the region. The tanker successfully navigated the region using traditional navigation skills.
How Is the West Asia Conflict Affecting Global Oil Transport?
The disruption occurs following a move by Iran, which targeted several ships in retaliation for attacks carried out by the United States and Israel on February 28. It is reported that most of the strikes by Iran targeted ships that were either owned or destined for China, although the situation has presented a number of challenges for ships in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most important oil routes in the world, with nearly 20 percent of total global crude oil shipments passing through it.
What Challenges Did the Crew Face During the Journey?
Second officer Abhijit Alok stated that sailing the ship without GPS technology made the journey very difficult. “We were lucky to have reached safely and happy to have been able to carry some vital resources (crude oil) for the country at a time when supplies are short,” said Abhijit Alok.
He further stated that the ship’s captain knew how to navigate the ship without GPS technology. “Captain Sandhu is a seasoned officer and knows how to navigate when there are no GPS signals; we sailed on in the manner it was done in an era when there were no signals with secondary options.”
Alok further stated that the ship’s crew saw fighter jets flying over Saudi Arabia but did not witness any military conflict. The tanker ship had 29 crew members from India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
Where Was the Crude Oil Delivered in Mumbai?
The Shenlong transported 1,35,335 metric tonnes of crude oil at Jawahar Dweep (Butcher Island), which is located off the coast of Mumbai. The oil will then be transported to Mahul, which is an industrial area in eastern Mumbai. Once the unloading process is over, the vessel is expected to set sail on Friday night towards Fujairah Port in the United Arab Emirates.
Is Fujairah Also Affected by the Conflict?
While Fujairah is not directly located on the Hormuz Strait, it still has not been left untouched by the conflict. On March 9, a fire broke out due to the falling debris of a drone intercepted by the UAE defense forces. Also, the oil storage terminal in Fujairah was recently hit by falling debris.
How Did the Crew React After Reaching Mumbai Safely?
After this challenging trip, the team is relieved that they have reached India safely. In an interview, Osman Arshad, a third officer of the team who hails from Karachi in Pakistan, said that the team remained calm during the entire trip.
“We had full stock of food. The crew and captain were a big support to us. The captain told us that we would be alerted during a time of emergency,” Osman Arshad said. In addition, Osman Arshad also told that his contract is over next month.
A member of the team also reported that he used to send messages to his family in India during the voyage but is relieved that they have reached India safely.
Which Other Tanker Is Expected to Reach India Soon?
Shipping officials confirmed that another vessel carrying crude oil, the Smyrni, is due to arrive in the city on March 14. The arrival of the vessel will be monitored as ships continue to traverse the disputed Strait of Hormuz.
