A crude oil tanker captained by an Indian officer has successfully reached Mumbai after navigating the conflict-affected Strait of Hormuz, briefly switching off its tracking system to travel in “dark mode” while crossing the high-risk maritime corridor.
The Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax arrived at Mumbai Port on Wednesday carrying 135,335 metric tonnes of crude oil that had been loaded at Ras Tanura port in Saudi Arabia. The crude cargo has begun unloading and will be transported to refineries in the Mumbai region.
Vessel-tracking data indicates that Shenlong Suezmax’s last recorded signal inside the Strait of Hormuz appeared on March 9. Shortly afterward, the ship temporarily switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) while crossing the strait, a tactic commonly referred to as travelling in “dark mode.” The vessel later reappeared on tracking systems and continued toward India before docking at Mumbai on Wednesday.
According to data compiled by TankerTrackers.com, several other oil tankers have also temporarily disappeared from AIS tracking in the Gulf region during the ongoing conflict. These include two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), three Suezmax tankers capable of transiting the Suez Canal while fully loaded, and one Panamax tanker designed to fit the maximum dimensions of the original locks of the Panama Canal.
These vessels are reportedly headed to major energy-importing countries including China, India, and Japan. The AIS system normally transmits information about a ship’s identity, position, and movement to nearby vessels and coastal authorities in order to improve navigation safety and prevent collisions. When ships disable the system, they effectively become difficult to track at sea.
The heightened maritime risks follow the escalation of hostilities involving the United States and Israel against Iran. In response, Iran has significantly restricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
The waterway typically handles more than 20 million barrels of crude oil per day, accounting for roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption and nearly a quarter of all seaborne oil trade. Over the past two weeks, at least 16 ships have reportedly been attacked by Iranian forces, with Tehran warning that further strikes on vessels operating in the region remain possible.
According to Indian government data, 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf region. Of these, 24 ships carrying 677 Indian seafarers are located west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels with 101 Indian crew members are operating east of the strait.
The situation escalated further on Wednesday when a Thai vessel heading to Kandla Port in Gujarat was reportedly attacked in the strait, prompting strong criticism and concern from authorities in New Delhi.
