The Indian Navy deployed its missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to assist the vessel, Marlin Luanda, and extinguished the fire onboard the tanker with 22 Indian crew on Saturday
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India gained international praise for its timely help to a commercial oil tanker struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel MV Marlin Luanda was hit by an anti-ship ballistic missile fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants. The Indian Navy deployed its missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam to assist and extinguish the fire onboard the tanker with 22 Indian crew on Saturday.
British journalist Mark Urban said: “Among the emerging great powers fascinating to see how India has risen to the crisis in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea… China not so much…”
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Historian Martin Sauerbrey posted on X: “India takes over. Superpower rising… Stop drooling over China.”
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Columnist Abhijit Iyer-Mitra posted: “India has been providing security to shipping in the Arabian Sea – while China which has a base in Djibouti is not…”
Hassan Sajwani posted: “India’s Navy helped extinguish and secure British oil tanker carrying Russian oil product #MarlinLuanda in the Gulf of Aden.”
SIX-HOUR BATTLE WITH THE BLAZE
Indian Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said in New Delhi that after six hours of battling the fire along with the crew of MV Marlin Luanda, the Indian Naval firefighting team successfully brought the blaze under control.
The missile attack on the vessel reportedly by Iran-backed Houthi militants came amid increasing global concerns over the security situation in the Red Sea as well as the Gulf of Aden.
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While the vessel is owned by UK-based Oceonix Services, it is being operated by Singapore-based Trafigura. The Houthis have been targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea and adjoining areas since November, apparently in response to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. “Responding to the distress call from MV Marlin Luanda, INS Visakhapatnam had proceeded to provide assistance. A US and French warship also responded to the distress call,” Madhwal said.
The firefighting team from INS Visakhapatnam comprising 10 Indian Naval personnel with specialist fire fighting equipment embarked MV Marlin Luanda on early hours of Saturday, he said.
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The Navy spokespersons said the team is currently monitoring the situation to rule out any possibility of “re-ignition”. “Indian Navy remains steadfast in her commitment towards safety of merchant shipping and seafarers,” he asserted.
