What Crew Members Say About Gfs-Galaxy

The maritime community is mourning the loss of Heramb Karmarkar, a 30-year-old Indian marine engineer from Pune, whose body has been recovered following a harrowing three-day search. Karmarkar had been unaccounted for since the attack on the 'GFS Galaxy' off the coast of Oman. On July 14, India’s Forward Seamen’s Union reported that the shipping company notified Karmarkar’s family about the recovery of his remains by Oman’s Coastguard. This somber discovery occurred nearly 60 hours after the initial report of his disappearance. His body is currently in the custody of the Oman Navy. For the last five months, Karmarkar had been serving aboard the vessel and was scheduled to disembark soon. Fortunately, the other 23 crew members, including ten fellow Indian nationals, were rescued shortly after the incident. The Indian mission is actively coordinating with authorities in the UAE to provide support to the grieving family. [Read more with photo](https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/indian-mission-closely-coordinating-with-uae-to-provide-support-to-deceased-sailors-family/amp).

On July 11, 2026, at 10:40 p.m., the 'GFS Galaxy', set for Jebel Ali with a diverse crew of 24, was struck by a cruise missile fired by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz. This unfortunate incident unfolded approximately nine nautical miles east of Oman and 4.4 nautical miles from the Musandam Governorate's coastline, leading to a devastating fire in the stern area and critical damage to the vessel's engine room. The ship's crew included 11 Indian nationals, alongside four Ukrainians, four Filipinos, three Indonesians, and two Sri Lankans. Following the attack, two crew members were reported missing, and one individual was promptly evacuated with injuries sustained in the engine room. The remaining 22 crew members abandoned ship and were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman, coordinated through the Oman Maritime Security Centre. Among the rescued, three crew members sustained burns and minor injuries, receiving medical attention at an Omani hospital. Tragically, one Indian crewmember, the third engineer, remains unaccounted for. Both Indian and Omani authorities are actively involved in efforts to locate the missing crew member, with search and rescue operations currently underway. Iran justified its actions by claiming the ship ignored warnings to divert, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stating that warning shots were fired at a vessel that turned off its transponder, describing its navigation as illegal. In a subsequent military response, the U.S. launched a third round of airstrikes against Iran. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard also declared a closure of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic “until further notice.” The Indian government condemned the GFS Galaxy attack, which has previously operated under names such as 'Crete I', 'Ilse Wulff', and 'Al Khor', and is owned by Wulff Reederei located in Glückstadt. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing deep concern regarding ongoing assaults on commercial vessels in the region, urging de-escalation and seeking a diplomatic solution to restore peace. The MEA emphasized the importance of monitoring the situation through the Indian Embassy in Oman, which is collaborating with Omani officials in rescue operations, while expressing gratitude for Omani support. They reiterated the necessity for the cessation of attacks on commercial shipping and the restoration of unimpeded navigation in accordance with international law.

On July 13, search and rescue (SAR) efforts continued for Heramb Karmarkar, the missing 3rd engineer of the GFS Galaxy, hailing from Pune. Concurrently, the damaged vessel is under tow, making its way to Khor Fakkan port in the United Arab Emirates for a thorough evaluation. The Indian Ministry of Shipping has been in constant communication with the GFS Galaxy’s management team, diligently monitoring the situation and implementing necessary measures. In a strong statement, the Indian Foreign Ministry condemned the attack on the ship, urging for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting commercial vessels and civilian infrastructure. This plea aims to safeguard free navigation and commerce within the critical international waterways of the region.

In a significant move, ZIM has successfully finalized a new charter agreement, committing to 5-8 months of trading between the Far East and the U.S. East Coast. Under this arrangement, the daily rate has been set at an impressive $17,000, reflecting strong market demand and ZIM's ongoing strategy to enhance its service offerings in these key shipping routes.

In a significant move within the maritime industry, Greek buyers have successfully acquired a vessel for the impressive sum of $11 million from Andros Maritime. This transaction reflects the ongoing demand for quality maritime assets within the sector.