Oman Evacuates Tanker Crew After Hormuz Attack

Oman’s military has rescued 10 crew members from a Panamanian-flagged crude carrier after a projectile attack caused a fire aboard the ship in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. The strike highlights escalating risks for merchant shipping in one of the world’s most vital energy transit routes.

The oil tanker, named On Peace, was hit approximately 9 nautical miles (17 kilometers) off the Omani port city of Limah, according to statements from Oman’s Ministry of Defence. Omani air force units airlifted injured sailors to Khasab hospital in the Musandam governorate for treatment.

Injuries and Sailor Demographics

India’s Ministry of External Affairs reported that 17 of the tanker’s 19 crew members are Indian nationals. Indian authorities stated that at least 12 crew members sustained injuries during the strike, including 11 Indian citizens.

In a formal statement regarding the incident, India’s foreign ministry expressed “deep concern” over the ongoing targeting of commercial shipping and reiterated its call for “an immediate cessation of such attacks” to protect regional stability.

India is a major supplier of merchant mariners globally. According to Indian government figures, at least 10 Indian seafarers were killed between late February and July, with another Indian sailor killed in a separate Strait of Hormuz strike in September.

Escalating Maritime Hostilities

The attack on the On Peace comes amid broader hostilities linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran that began on February 28, 2026. Iranian forces have largely restricted access through the passage, carrying out attacks against commercial vessels that do not utilize designated Iranian routes or pay passage tolls.

Maritime intelligence service Marisks reported that at least seven other incidents involving oil tankers occurred in the Strait of Hormuz over the past week alone.

Impact on Energy Markets

Despite the frequency of military strikes on commercial shipping, Middle Eastern crude shipments have returned to pre-war volumes. Provisional data from tracking firm Kpler indicates that Middle East crude exports averaged 18.3 million barrels per day for the seven days ending September 30, surpassing the pre-war 12-month average of roughly 18 million barrels per day.

However, crude pricing remains significantly higher than before the war. Brent crude futures reached $101.51 per barrel on Tuesday, compared with $72.48 per barrel recorded the day before hostilities began.

Background

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime choke point connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and open ocean, through which approximately a fifth of the world’s daily petroleum supply travels. Since hostilities erupted on February 28, 2026, shipping through the passage has faced ongoing military disruptions, elevating international oil prices and maritime insurance rates.