An Indian-flagged commercial vessel, the MSV Faize Noore Oliya, sank in the Red Sea off the coast of Yemen on August 4 after being hit by a projectile. India's shipping minister, Sarbananda Sonowal, confirmed the incident on Tuesday, noting that all 14 seafarers on board—including 13 Indian nationals—were successfully rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard. Following the rescue, the crew members were transported to the Port of Mokha.
India's foreign ministry stated that it is currently coordinating with Yemeni authorities regarding the sinking. The incident occurs amidst ongoing disruptions to Red Sea traffic caused by Tehran-aligned Houthi forces. The Houthis, who have targeted shipping in the region, seek to blockade Saudi exports, an effort that has expanded the broader US-Iran conflict and impacted oil supply routes through the Strait of Hormuz. In response to these security threats, Indian refiners have adjusted their operations, shifting toward cargoes from the Middle East on a delivered basis following previous attacks on Saudi tankers.
