A crude oil tanker commanded by an Indian captain has safely arrived at Mumbai Port after sailing through the highly tense Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes. The vessel completed the journey despite rising military tensions in the Gulf region and growing risks to commercial shipping.
The Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax reached Mumbai on Wednesday carrying a large consignment of crude oil loaded from Saudi Arabia. The ship transported more than 135,000 metric tonnes of crude, which has now begun unloading at the port before being sent to refineries in Mumbai.
The tanker’s journey has drawn attention because it temporarily disappeared from public ship-tracking systems while passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but strategically vital waterway currently facing security threats due to the ongoing Iran-related conflict.
Iran-Israel-US War Latest News: Why Ships Are Going Into ‘Dark Mode’ in the Strait of Hormuz?
Tracking data showed that the vessel’s last signal from the Strait of Hormuz appeared on March 9. Shortly after that, the ship switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a move often described as entering “dark mode”.
AIS technology normally broadcasts a ship’s identity, location, and direction to nearby vessels and coastal monitoring stations. The system helps avoid collisions and allows authorities to track maritime traffic.
When ships turn off AIS signals, they effectively become invisible to standard tracking platforms. In high-risk regions, captains sometimes use this method to avoid becoming easy targets during conflicts or military tensions.
After remaining offline for several hours, the tanker’s signal returned on tracking platforms before it finally docked safely at Mumbai Port.
Global Oil Tankers Disappearing From Tracking Systems
The tanker was not the only vessel to adopt this strategy. Maritime tracking data has shown several large oil carriers temporarily vanishing from AIS systems in the Gulf region.
According to shipping monitoring reports, multiple oil tankers — including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), Suezmax tankers and a Panamax vessel — have also gone offline for at least two days while operating in the region. These ships are reportedly heading to major energy-importing countries such as India, China, and Japan.
Experts say such tactics highlight the growing risks commercial shipping faces in the Gulf as geopolitical tensions intensify.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Is So Important for Global Oil Supply?
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most important maritime chokepoints in the world. More than 20 million barrels of crude oil pass through the narrow waterway every day, representing roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption and nearly a quarter of all oil traded by sea.
Any disruption in this route can quickly affect international energy markets, oil prices, and global shipping networks.
Military escalation in the region has already created serious concerns for tanker operators and energy companies that rely heavily on this corridor to transport crude oil from the Middle East to Asia and other parts of the world.
Iran-Israel-US War Latest News: Indian Ships and Seafarers in the Gulf Region
Indian authorities are closely monitoring the situation because a significant number of Indian vessels and seafarers operate in the Gulf.
Officials recently confirmed that 28 Indian-flagged ships are currently sailing in the Persian Gulf region. Among them, 24 vessels carrying 677 Indian seafarers are positioned west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four ships with 101 Indian crew members are located east of the strait.
The developments have raised safety concerns as commercial vessels continue to operate near conflict zones.
Iran-Israel-US War Latest News: Rising Attacks on Ships in the Gulf
Shipping companies have become increasingly cautious after several vessels were reportedly attacked in the region over the past two weeks. Tehran has also issued warnings about further strikes on ships operating near its waters.
Tensions escalated further when a Thai vessel heading toward Kandla Port in Gujarat was attacked while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The incident triggered strong reactions from India, which expressed concern over the safety of international shipping routes.
Despite the risks, the successful arrival of the Shenlong Suezmax tanker in Mumbai highlights how global oil trade continues to operate even under extremely challenging conditions in one of the world’s most volatile maritime zones.
