The investigation into the ship’s area of impact and the recovered debris suggests the likelihood of a drone attack. Further in-depth forensic and technical examinations are necessary to confirm and uncover all pertinent details, Navy officials said.
A comprehensive examination of the ship was conducted by a Navy team.
Today, confirmation from Navy analysis revealed that the merchant vessel MV Chem Pluto was hit by a drone approximately 400 kilometers off the Indian coastline. The ship, carrying 21 crew members (20 Indians and 1 Vietnamese), sought refuge at Mumbai port under the safeguard of the Indian Coast Guard ship Vikram, following the incident that occurred in the Arabian Sea two days prior.
Upon arrival, the Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal team meticulously inspected the vessel. Initial assessments based on the attack site and gathered debris strongly suggest a drone strike. Navy officials emphasized the necessity for further forensic and technical analyses to fully understand the incident.
Numerous images depicting the damage sustained at the ship’s rear, attributed to the suspected drone attack, were shared.
This occurrence takes place amidst a series of recent drone and missile assaults by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on the crucial Red Sea shipping route, aligning their actions with Gaza in light of the Israel-Hamas conflict that began on October 7.
In response to the escalating attacks on commercial vessels in the Arabian Sea, the Navy has deployed INS Mormugao, INS Kochi, and INS Kolkata as a deterrent presence in the region, according to officials. Additionally, long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8Is are consistently assigned to ensure heightened domain awareness in the area.
The Pentagon has attributed a drone attack on a tanker ship to Iran, marking the first instance of openly accusing Iran of directly targeting ships since the onset of Israel’s conflict with Hamas, supported by Tehran.
Following the report of the drone attack on the ship by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), both the Navy and the Indian Coast Guard swiftly responded by deploying their resources, including a warship and maritime patrol aircraft on Saturday.
UKMTO, a British military organization, serves as a crucial source of maritime security information and serves as the primary point of contact for merchant vessels involved in maritime incidents.
The ship, allegedly transporting crude oil from Saudi Arabia’s Al Jubail port to New Mangalore port, encountered an incident. However, the company overseeing MV Chem Pluto in Mumbai has authorized its continuation. Prior to conducting the cargo’s Ship to Ship (STS) transfer, the vessel will undergo mandatory inspections by relevant authorities. Subsequently, plans include the docking and repair of the damaged section of MV Chem Pluto.
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