Kollam, March 2 -- An offshore supply vessel with 12 crew members on board, which was on its way to Saudi Arabia from Hong Kong, was forced to anchor at the Kollam port on Monday.

The development comes as military conflict in West Asia continued for the third day after the US-Israel military campaign against Iran on February 28 and Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israel, American bases and Gulf states.

According to Kollam port authorities, the vessel was unable to proceed to the Saudi coast due to the prevailing security situation. The ship's crew sought assistance to anchor safely at Kollam.

Officials clarified that it is a small offshore supply vessel, not a cargo ship.

Port authorities said the diversion was made purely due to trave...