India’s Shipping Minister said all 22 Indian crew members aboard the Panama-flagged crude oil tanker MT GEM NO. 2 were safe after the vessel was hit in a drone attack at Sharjah Anchorage in the United Arab Emirates on October 9. The attacker and the extent of any damage to the ship have not been identified in the reporting reviewed.
Key Takeaways
- MT GEM NO. 2 was reportedly struck by a drone at Sharjah Anchorage on October 9, 2026.
- Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said all 22 Indian seafarers aboard were safe.
- Indian authorities said they were monitoring the situation and in contact with the vessel’s management company.
- The available reports do not identify who carried out the attack or detail the vessel’s damage.
Who Confirmed the Crew’s Safety?
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal shared the update publicly, saying the government was monitoring the situation and staying in contact with the ship management company to support the crew’s safety and wellbeing. The confirmation concerns the 22 Indian nationals aboard; it does not by itself establish the condition of the vessel.
What Happened to MT GEM NO. 2?
The Panama-flagged crude oil tanker was subjected to a drone attack while at Sharjah Anchorage, according to Sonowal’s statement reported by The Indian Express and The Hindu. The reports reviewed do not specify the drone type, the point from which it was launched, the attacker, or the extent of physical damage.
When and Where Did the Attack Occur?
The incident was reported as occurring on October 9, 2026, at Sharjah Anchorage in the United Arab Emirates. The public update was reported in India on October 10.
Why Does the Incident Matter for India?
The incident puts the safety of Indian seafarers and commercial shipping in the Gulf region back in focus. India has a large seafaring workforce, so attacks on merchant vessels can have direct consequences for crew welfare as well as wider maritime trade. The incident also highlights the importance of timely communication between governments, ship managers and crews when a vessel is threatened.
India and Liberia have also been advancing an international initiative focused on the safety and security of shipping and seafarers, according to reporting by The Indian Express. That broader effort provides context, but the available information does not establish a connection between the initiative and this specific attack.
What Remains Unconfirmed?
The available reports do not identify the party responsible, describe the drone used, confirm the level of damage to MT GEM NO. 2, or say whether the vessel’s operations were interrupted. Those details should not be inferred from the fact that a drone attack was reported. The confirmed point in the minister’s update is that all 22 Indian crew members were reported safe.
Sources
The Indian Express, October 10, 2026
The Hindu, October 10, 2026
Sarbananda Sonowal’s public statement, October 9, 2026
