Mumbai, March 12: The ongoing conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States has intensified the global energy crisis. Amid this turmoil, a ship has safely arrived in Mumbai after navigating through the Hormuz Strait. This vessel had turned off its Automatic Identification System (AIS), a maneuver referred to as “going dark” in maritime terminology.
The conflict in West Asia has left numerous vessels stranded near the Hormuz Strait. Recently, a ship carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia successfully reached Mumbai, marking the first vessel to do so since hostilities escalated in the Gulf region.
According to reports, the Liberia-flagged vessel named Shenlong Suezmax loaded crude oil at the Ras Tanura port in Saudi Arabia on March 1. It departed on March 3 but became stuck near the Hormuz Strait due to ongoing clashes. The last signal from the ship was recorded on March 8, after which it disappeared from tracking systems. This indicates that the crew disabled the AIS to avoid detection while passing through dangerous waters.
What Does “Going Dark” Mean?
AIS is typically kept operational to transmit a ship’s identity, location, direction, and speed. International regulations mandate its use under normal circumstances. However, in conflict zones, vessels may turn off their AIS to evade enemy surveillance and avoid being tracked.
How Much Oil Did Shenlong Suezmax Bring to India?
According to Praveen Singh, Deputy Conservator of the Mumbai Port Authority, the ship arrived with 135,335 metric tons of crude oil and is currently docked at the Jawahar Dweep terminal. The oil will be sent to refineries in the Mahul area of eastern Mumbai. Unloading the entire shipment is expected to take around 36 hours. The crew consists of 29 members, including Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino sailors, with Captain Sukshant Singh Sandhu at the helm.
While the Shenlong Suezmax has safely reached India, another vessel named Mayuri Nari, en route from Saudi Arabia to India’s Kandla Port, was attacked. The projectile strike caused a fire, leaving three crew members missing.
It is noteworthy that sources from the Indian government indicated that following discussions between Iranian Foreign Minister and Indian Minister S. Jaishankar, Iran had granted permission for Indian vessels to exit the Hormuz Strait peacefully. However, no official confirmation has been provided by Iran. Concurrently, there is growing panic in India over LPG and oil shortages, with the opposition continuously pressing the government. Nonetheless, officials maintain that the country has adequate reserves of oil and gas.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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