Parliament Question: Drone Attack on Cargo Ship

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2115 ANSWERED ON 31.07.2026 DRONE ATTACK ON CARGO SHIP

2115. SHRI THIRU THANGA TAMILSELVAN:

DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P:

Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी

(a) whether it is true that an Indian Cargo ship named 'Haji Ali’ was sunk by a drone attack near Oman on 25 July, 2026 which was sailing near Lima on the northern coast of the West Asian country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the total damage/loss estimated due to the drone attack on an Indian Cargo ship; and

(c) whether the Indian Government have taken any steps to bring back our Indian Sailors safely and expressed any condemnation for the drone attack on an Indian Cargo ship, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER FOR PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)

(a) to (c) An Indian flagged cargo vessel MSV Haji Ali (Mechanised Wooden Sailing Vessel) was reportedly struck on the starboard side while transiting off the coast of Oman near Limah on 13.05.2026. The impact resulted in a severe fire onboard, leading to the eventual total loss of the vessel. At the time of the incident, the vessel was carrying livestock and was enroute from Berbera, Somalia to Sharjah, UAE. All 14 Indian crew members were rescued safely from the sea and brought to Dibba Port, Oman, through coordinated efforts involving the concerned authorities and the Embassy of India in Muscat. All crew members were repatriated safely to India on

22.05.2026. *****