Gas
LNG carrier targeted in Persian Gulf projectile attack
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel M/T Al Mayeda sustained a projectile hit in the Persian Gulf, though all crew members remain safe.
Key points
- M/T Al Mayeda was struck by a projectile in the Persian Gulf on October 30.
- Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed that all 25 crew members, including six Indian nationals, are unhurt.
- Indian officials highlighted mounting risks to civilian shipping and fuel availability during the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
According to reporting by The Tribune and The Economic Times, a Marshall Islands-registered liquefied natural gas vessel experienced a projectile strike while navigating the Persian Gulf amid ongoing regional hostilities. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed via public statements that the vessel, named M/T Al Mayeda, suffered the assault on October 30. Despite the impact, the entire complement of 25 personnel onboard, which included six Indian seafarers, emerged completely unharmed. Authorities are maintaining communication with the ship management company to oversee ongoing security arrangements.
This event follows a separate maritime incident involving a Panama-flagged petroleum carrier, MT Louise 1, which encountered damage from explosive devices inside the Strait of Hormuz. That occurrence marked the initial deployment of such munitions against commercial traffic in the channel since hostilities commenced between the United States and Iran in February, according to official disclosures.
During the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar drew attention to the mounting hazards facing civilian maritime transport and marine crews. According to his remarks, developing nations face disproportionate burdens from Middle Eastern conflicts, which threaten the continuous flow and affordability of vital commodities such as fuel, food supplies, and agricultural fertilisers. Ministry records indicate that 22 Indian citizens, including 14 maritime workers, have lost their lives amid the regional disturbances.
Why it matters
The security situation in critical Middle Eastern waterways carries direct consequences for international energy markets and economic stability across emerging economies. Data from the United States Energy Information Administration indicates that Brent spot prices stood at 123.1 US dollars per barrel on October 27, 2026, reflecting high market sensitivity to supply risks. Disruptions in vital transit corridors like the Strait of Hormuz heighten volatility for petroleum and LNG flows, compounding inflationary pressures for energy-importing nations. For investors and policymakers, these maritime vulnerabilities underscore the urgent need to diversify supply routes, strengthen energy security frameworks, and protect critical marine infrastructure against escalating geopolitical tensions.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Gas is the flexible backbone of many grids and the designated transition fuel in many national plans, from LNG trade to domestic LPG and CNG. Supply security and pricing drive both power reliability and emissions.
0.0% of electricity in Marshall Islands came from gas in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
