Iran Israel War | Ships anchored off Gulf coasts after Strait of Hormuz blaze; Indian crew expresses concern

Shipping operations in some parts of the Gulf came to a halt on March 1 after a crude oil tanker caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by an Iranian missile, forcing ships to anchor amid rising tensions in the region.

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“All ships have been anchored since the day the crude oil tanker was hit in the Strait of Hormuz,” said Hyderabad-based Chief Engineer Rajashekar Chinthakindi, who is currently on duty on a crude oil ship. To talk Hindu In a statement on the phone on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, he said that his ships carrying crude oil from Iraq to Dubai have remained inactive since the incident.

“Our ship anchored in the middle of the sea near Sharjah,” Mr. Rajashekar said. “Under normal conditions, if we travel 3-4 hours from here, we can reach the target and unload the crude oil. But now we cannot move even an inch.”

He noted that hundreds of ships, especially those that need to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic maritime chokepoints, are similarly anchored off the coasts of the Gulf countries.

According to Mr. Rajashekar, his current contract requires him to remain on the ship for the next three months as per the shipping contract. However, he expressed concern about the tension and uncertainty prevailing in the region.

On the availability of food and basic necessities, he said ships often carry excess supplies. “We have enough food supplies to last a few more days. If the fighting continues and we have to stay here longer, our administration can arrange to send additional supplies via small boats from Dubai,” he added.

Mr. Rajashekar also revealed that a person from Andhra Pradesh was injured on the missile-hit ship and is currently receiving treatment in Oman.

Additionally, news that a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean increased tensions among merchant navy sailors.