Oil tanker attacked off Oman coast; 15 Indians evacuated, 4 injured

An oil tanker was struck off Oman’s coast, injuring four crew members and triggering a full evacuation of the ship. The Skylight, a Palau-flagged tanker carrying a 20-person crew, was hit about 5 nautical miles north of Khasab Port on the Musandam peninsula, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The four injured sailors were reported in varying conditions as they were brought ashore.

The ship’s crew consists of 15 Indian nationals and five Iranian citizens, Oman’s maritime authorities said. The vessel’s registered owner is Sea Force Inc., and it is managed by Red Sea Ship Management LLC, according to industry data.

The attack follows a wave of regional tensions, including drone strikes at the Duqm port and broader exchanges between Gulf powers amid ongoing US-Israeli actions in the region. The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy trade, heightening concern about spillover effects on shipping and prices.

The incident comes as the United States has previously sanctioned the management company and the tanker’s owner, accusing them of operating a 'shadow fleet' to transport Iranian petroleum products. The new attack underscores how quickly flare-ups in the Gulf can disrupt maritime traffic and draw in international players.

Oman’s maritime security authorities coordinated to secure the area and facilitate crew evacuation. Analysts say the incident could reverberate through shipping routes and insurance markets, given ongoing tensions and the vulnerability of vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Beyond the immediate safety concerns for sailors, the episode highlights the fragility of global energy links and how geopolitical tensions can ripple into global markets as ships continue to navigate one of the world's busiest chokepoints.

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