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Three tankers went adrift in monsoon storm
On July 5, a major maritime security and salvage operation was undertaken off the coast of north Mumbai after severe monsoon weather disrupted the three detained tankers ' Asphalt Star', 'Stellar Rub' and 'Al Jafzia', linked to an international Iranian oil-smuggling ring. While the latter ran aground, the two others drifted from their anchorages, but were later secured with assistance from the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). The Directorate General of Shipping sent an emergency alert to the ICG regarding the three vessels. Extreme weather conditions and strong winds caused the ships to drag their anchors from their designated holding areas, pushing them towards the Manori coast. Upon receiving the distress notification from DG Shipping, the Indian Coast Guard immediately mobilised its regional assets to assess the situation and secure the vessels. The ICGS 'Samrat', an advanced offshore patrol vessel operating in the vicinity, was immediately diverted to the area to establish visual contact, evaluate structural risks, and render necessary maritime assistance. Upon the maritime law enforcement agency's request, the DG Shipping deployed the emergency tug 'Water Lily' to the site to provide towing and salvage support. Moreover, the pollution control vessel ICGS 'Samudra Prahari' was deployed to handle potential environmental fallout or logistical emergencies. The 'Asphalt Star' and 'Stellar Ruby' were anchored and stabilised under observation while the crew onboard were reported to be safe and secure. The 'Al Jafzia' was unmanned and landed broadside on the beach. The vessel was left completely unmanned following the Bombay High Court's order to repatriate around 50 stranded seafarers who had been abandoned by the ships' overseas owners under severe humanitarian distress. The ICG assets and emergency towing crews remaines on high alert in the area, continuously monitoring the structural integrity of the vessels to prevent a secondary environmental crisis or navigational blockage of Mumbai's waterways.
Detained tankers sent to Alang
The Mumbai High Court of India ordered the detained 'Stellar Ruby', 'Asphalt Star' and 'Chiltern', formerly known as the 'Al Jafzia', all having been intercepted off the Mumbai Coast on Feb 6, to be shifted to the Alang ship recycling yard in Gujarat. The owners of the vesselsfiled a petition seeking release of the vessels and permission to sail while investigations continue. However, the court on May 6 ordered to shift the vessels from Mumbai to Alang, citing maritime safety concerns and navigational risks posed by keeping the vessels anchored offshore for a longer period of time. The tankers were detained by the Indian Coast Guard approximately 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea. The Indian authorities alleged that the vessels were engaged in unauthorized STS transfer operations involving Iranian bitumen and fuel, using deceptive practices, including switching off their location-tracking systems. During the hearing on May 6, an advocate representing the Coast Guard and the Director General of Shipping informed the Mumbai High court that another bench of the same court had, on May 5 ordered the release of 50 stranded seafarers, who were confined under severe humanitarian conditions aboard the vessels for approximately three months. The crew members of the tankers had allegedly survived on only 300 ml of potable water per day with no electricity or essential supplies on board. The owners requested additional time for replacement of crew but was rejected the plea to delay the release of crew members. The advocate further argued that the vessels with no crew members posed high risks to maritime security and vessel traffic. He submitted that the ships could be moved to Alang ship recycling yard, as legal proceedings and dispute resolution may take considerable time. Following the submissions, the court declined the owners' request to sail their vessels freely and instead directed them to be moved to Alang, where they would remain under the authorities' legal custody pending resolution of the case.
India arrested three Iran-linked tankers
On Feb 6, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard busted an International oil-smuggling racket in a meticulously coordinated sea–air operation. The syndicate exploited mid-sea transfers in international waters to move cheap oil from conflict ridden regions to tankers, evading duties owed to coastal states. Acting on tech enabled surveillance and data-pattern analysis,the Coast Guard intercepted three suspect vessels about 100 nautical miles west of Mumbai as part of of a coordinated operation to dismantle an international oil-smuggling network linked to Iranian petroleum flows, the 'Chiltern', 'Asphalt Star' and 'Stellar Ruby'. The 'Asphalt Star' conducted a bunkering operation with the 'Stellar Ruby', which started on Feb 7, 2026, at 03:48 a.m. UTC, and lasted until Feb 8 at 08:46 a.m. Prior to the operation, the three tankers listed different Indian ports as their destinations, before all updating their AIS destination to Mumbai on Feb 8. All three vessels were listed under OFAC sanctions. Sustained rummaging, electronic data corroboration, and crew interrogation exposed the modus operandi and a global handler network. The vessels were known to frequently change identity, and were escorted to Mumbai for further legal action. A thorough investigation, including corroboration of electronic data onboard the vessels, verification of vessel and cargo documents, and interrogation of crew members, enabled authorities to piece together the smugglers' modus operandi.
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