Maritime Gridlock: 18,000 Indian Sailors Caught In West Asia Logjam Around US-Iran Peace Deal | Exclusive Details

Last Updated:June 19, 2026, 17:39 IST

The broader crisis has heavily impacted foreign-flagged vessels manned by Indian crews or transporting critical Indian state cargo

A massive maritime bottleneck has left approximately 18,000 Indian sailors stranded across the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Red Sea, according to top government sources. The gridlock bookends the highly anticipated US-Iran peace treaty, with hundreds of seafarers directly trapped on commercial vessels positioned just west of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the widespread congestion, India secured a major energy breakthrough on June 18. The Malta-flagged LNG carrier Disha, managed by the Shipping Corporation of India, successfully navigated the chokepoint to berth at the Dahej LNG Terminal in Gujarat. The vessel delivered 62,370 metric tonnes of Qatari liquefied natural gas, offering significant relief to the domestic energy sector. The Disha is part of a wave of 15 India-bound vessels—including 10 strictly Indian-flagged ships—that have safely completed their transits since diplomatic progress toward a peace deal began gathering momentum.

Stranded Fleet Awaits Formal Treaty Signing

A critical bottleneck remains, however, with 13 Indian-flagged commercial vessels still stranded in the Persian Gulf just west of the strait. More than 325 Indian seafarers are on board these stationary ships, where operators are deliberately holding positions. This fleet is currently receiving continuous surveillance and administrative assistance from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

Further south, an additional 200 Indian crew members remain stationary in the Gulf of Oman, anchoring in designated safe zones while waiting for regional demining operations to commence. Prominent Indian vessels, including the Jag Arnav—which was carrying cargo near recent drone strikes—and the Sanmar Herald, have successfully moved away from active shipping corridors to maintain static, protected positions until the southern maritime highway is officially cleared.

Foreign-Flagged Fleet and Indian Cargo Casualties

The broader crisis has heavily impacted foreign-flagged vessels manned by Indian crews or transporting critical Indian state cargo, with roughly 600 ships currently waiting in line to transit the reopening waterway. High-profile casualties from the recent blockade include the Hong Kong-flagged chemical and oil tanker Bochem Marengo. The vessel was struck by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while transiting the strait just before the peace agreement was brokered. Carrying 21 Indian crew members, the India-bound tanker remains near the strait undergoing comprehensive safety assessments.

In a separate escalation off the coast of Oman, the MT Marivex—a sanctioned and unflagged vessel attempting to bypass the regional blockade to transport oil to India—was hit by a US precision munition. Omani authorities successfully rescued 24 Indian seafarers from an ensuing engine room fire; diplomatic teams are currently repatriating the crew back to India. Meanwhile, the international oil tanker Zefyros remains stranded near the conflict zone following a separate strike in the transit corridor, requiring emergency logistical coordination from Indian diplomatic channels.

The maritime logjam has also frozen vital agricultural supplies. A fleet of 16 foreign-chartered fertiliser supply ships, carrying a combined 697,000 metric tonnes of essential government-bound urea, ammonia, sulphur, and diammonium phosphate (DAP), remains anchored west of the strait. Government sources indicate these vessels are queued up and expected to resume their normal routing to Indian ports over the coming days as the peace treaty takes effect.

About the Author

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

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