National Union of Seafarers of India Warns of Humanitarian Crisis for 20,000 Indian Seafarers amid Gulf Tensions

The union said Indian seafarers aboard merchant vessels are increasingly exposed to missile and drone threats, operational restrictions, security alerts and mounting psychological stress as tensions intensify in the region. While the Strait of Hormuz remains technically open, voyages through the strategic shipping corridor have become high-risk operations marked by constant anxiety, disrupted sleep and heightened bridge surveillance.

Milind Kandalgaonkar, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer of NUSI, said the union is receiving continuous calls from distressed families seeking updates on the safety of crew members deployed in the conflict-prone waters. He noted that many Indian sailors are employed on foreign-flagged vessels, where accountability is often divided among shipowners, insurers, flag states and local authorities, complicating emergency response and repatriation efforts.  “Merchant navy personnel are civilian workers who continue to keep global trade moving despite limited protection,” Kandalgaonkar said, highlighting the complex risks posed by missiles, drones, cyber disruptions, sanctions and insurance-related complications.   To support affected crews, NUSI has activated its emergency assistance initiative, ‘NUSI Sahara’, which is handling distress cases related to safety, mental health, wage disputes, abandonment and repatriation.

Meanwhile, India has enhanced naval presence in the region under Operation Urja Suraksha to monitor and safeguard Indian maritime interests in high-risk waters.