India Directs Shipping Companies to Halt Deployment of Seafarers on Hormuz-Bound Vessels

In a fresh advisory, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) instructed ship owners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) companies not to assign Indian seafarers to vessels scheduled to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The directive is aimed at safeguarding Indian maritime personnel as tensions continue to rise in the region.The DGMA has also instructed masters of vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters to maintain the highest level of security vigilance. Masters have been advised to continuously monitor navigational warnings, security advisories and official updates, while implementing all applicable security measures under the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Code.The advisory comes in the wake of attacks on two merchant vessels—MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa—while transiting the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. The two vessels carried a combined crew of 46, including 30 Indian seafarers.The attacks resulted in the death of one Indian seafarer and injuries to another aboard MT Al Bahiyah, while MT Mombasa reported injuries to nine Indian crew members. The incidents have heightened concerns over the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers operating in one of the world’s busiest maritime trade corridors.In a parallel move to strengthen monitoring and emergency response, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways SarbanandaSonowal on Tuesday directed the DGMA to establish a comprehensive real-time operational dashboard to track every Indian seafarer serving on vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, irrespective of the vessel’s flag.The proposed digital monitoring system will provide vessel-by-vessel information on the location and status of Indian seafarers, enabling authorities to respond swiftly in the event of emergencies or security incidents.

The latest measures underscore the Government of India’s commitment to protecting its seafarers as maritime security risks continue to escalate in the Gulf region, which remains a critical artery for global energy supplies and international trade.