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The Indian Navy and coast guard swiftly responded to a suspected drone attack on a merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea, diverting a warship and a patrol vessel to the disabled ship's location, 217 nautical miles off Gujarat’s Porbandar coast. The Liberian-flagged MV Chem Pluto, carrying a crew of 22 sailors, including 21 Indians, experienced a hit to its power generation system. The incident occurred 200 nautical miles southwest of Gujarat’s Veraval coast.

International alert and safety measures

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported the incident, describing it as an "attack by Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) on a vessel causing an explosion and fire." The UKMTO advised caution for vessels in the area and urged reporting of any suspicious activity. The Mumbai-based Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) activated the International SafetyNET to dispatch the nearest merchant vessel, MV Merlin, to inspect the distressed chemical tanker.

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This incident adds to the security challenges in the region, including Houthi militia targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the apparent resurgence of piracy. The Indian Navy, already engaged in anti-piracy efforts, remains committed to ensuring the safety of merchant shipping. The warship and coast guard vessel are expected to reach MV Chem Pluto's location on Saturday night for further assessment and assistance.

Piracy resurgence and international efforts

The incident follows the interception of the Maltese-flagged merchant vessel Ruen on December 14 and the subsequent deployment of additional naval assets to enhance anti-piracy efforts. The European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation Atalanta is also actively involved in tracking and countering piracy in the western Indian Ocean. The recent spike in piracy incidents highlights the ongoing importance of maritime security in the region.

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