Don’t deploy Indians on ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz: India issues advisory to shipping companies

In a move aimed at safeguarding Indian seafarers amid intensifying security threats in the Gulf, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has issued a fresh advisory directing shipping companies and recruitment agencies not to deploy Indian crew on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz until further orders. A circular containing the directive was announced through an official post by the Directorate General of Shipping on its X handle late on Wednesday.

The advisory instructs ship owners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) companies to avoid sending Indian seafarers on any voyages involving passage through the strategic waterway. It also calls for heightened security vigilance by masters of vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters. They have been asked to closely monitor navigational warnings and security advisories while strictly implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. In case of any emergency, stakeholders have been told to immediately report the matter and seek assistance through the DG Communication Centre (MMDAC) or the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).

The regulator stated that the decision has been taken to protect the safety, security and welfare of Indian seafarers as hostilities in the region continue to intensify. It added that the DGMA is continuously monitoring developments in the Gulf and remains committed to ensuring the well-being of Indian nationals at sea.

The advisory comes against the backdrop of a series of attacks on commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz in recent days after the ceasefire between US and Iran collapsed because Iran attacked some vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Several merchant vessels, including the Mombasa B, Al Bahyah, GFS Galaxy, MT WEDYAN and AL REKAYYAT, have come under attack, exposing crews to grave risks. Most recently, the Cyprus-flagged container ship MV GFS Galaxy was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on July 12. The attack sparked a fire in the engine room. Third engineer Heramb Karmarkar, a 30-year-old marine engineer from Pune, was killed in the incident. Of the 24 crew members on board, including 11 Indians, 23 were rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman. Karmarkar, who was initially missing, was later confirmed dead.

Earlier incidents have also taken a heavy toll on Indian seafarers. In June, three Indian crew members were killed when the oil tanker MT Settebello came under attack in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel had 24 Indian nationals on board, of whom 21 were rescued. The bodies of the three deceased were later brought back to India. Other attacks in the region during the year, including one on the tanker Skylight in March, have resulted in deaths and injuries to Indian crew members.

These incidents have occurred against the backdrop of renewed tensions between the United States and Iran, marked by strikes, counter-measures and disruptions to shipping traffic through one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints. The Strait of Hormuz carries a substantial share of global oil supplies, making any escalation a matter of serious concern for maritime safety.

Indian authorities have been maintaining close tracking of Indian-flagged vessels and seafarers in the Persian Gulf region through dedicated dashboards and coordination mechanisms. The latest advisory builds on earlier circulars issued by the maritime regulator this year, which have been periodically reviewed and adjusted in line with the evolving security situation.

Maritime stakeholders have been urged to exercise utmost caution and prioritise the safety of Indian seafarers while operating in the high-risk zone. The government has reiterated that the protection of Indian nationals working at sea remains a top priority.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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