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Indian Crew Airlifted from Burning Shadow Fleet Tanker off Oman

tanker on fire
Indian crew was evacuated from a burning product tanker off Oman (social media video)

Published Jun 8, 2026 12:12 PM by The Maritime Executive


In a still developing situation, the Indian crew of a sanctioned, shadow fleet tanker abandoned ship on Monday, June 8, after a fire was reported aboard the ship. Official reports are listing it as a “suspicious event,” while unconfirmed reports said the vessel might have been attacked.

The product tanker now operating under the name of Marivex reported the fire around 1330 local time on June 8, with the crew requesting an immediate evacuation. Pictures show the crew being hoisted from the deck to a helicopter, with reports saying the vessel’s lifeboat was damaged by the fire and the crew was unable to launch the boat or rafts.

Built in 2009, the ship is claiming to be operating under the false flag of Madagascar since taking on its latest name in February 2026. Previously it was registered in Palau. The ship is 12,800 dwt, and its AIS signal showed it was coming from India bound for Duqm, Oman. The latest signals place it anchored on the coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea.

 

 

 

The United States Treasury Department sanctioned the vessel in December 2025 under its previous name of Arihant. The U.S. listed it as one of 29 vessels involved in the Iranian oil petrochemical trade, reporting the tanker had transported hundreds of thousands of barrels of Iranian fuel oil and bitumen within the Persian Gulf since July 2025.  

Indian officials confirmed the evacuation of 24 sailors but did not comment on the cause of the fire aboard the ship. Its embassy in Oman posted a message thanking the Omanis for their assistance. Pictures show the crew uninjured, posing for a photo with the rescue helicopter in Oman.

Some media reports are saying the vessel was hit by a drone, while some reports suggested it might have been disabled by U.S. forces as part of the blockade enforcement. U.S. Central Command did not comment while reporting today that U.S. forces have redirected 132 commercial vessels and disabled 6 ships as part of the enforcement efforts. UK Maritime Trade Operations labeled the incident “suspicious,” reporting the ship was on fire 15 nautical miles northeast of Masirah, Oman.