India’s maritime regulator has revealed that 15 Indian seafarers have lost their lives and two others remain missing in a series of maritime security incidents linked to the conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea over the past three months.
Addressing the National Port Security Conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) Shyam Jagannathan described the prevailing geopolitical environment as “extremely challenging”, citing escalating threats to commercial shipping and seafarer safety.
Jagannathan disclosed that 57 separate maritime security incidents have been reported during the period, highlighting a sharp deterioration in the operating environment for merchant vessels.
He noted that drone and missile attacks on unarmed merchant ships have become increasingly frequent in parts of the Black Sea, while piracy off the coast of Somalia is showing signs of resurgence. He also warned that the Houthi threat in the Red Sea has re-emerged, following more than 154 security incidents recorded in 2024.
“The current geopolitical situation has significantly increased risks to merchant shipping and driven up global logistics costs,” Jagannathan said.
He added that the DGMA has remained on high alert since the end of February, intensifying monitoring and coordination efforts to safeguard Indian seafarers and vessels operating in high-risk regions.
The regulator has strengthened mechanisms for rescue operations, vessel movement monitoring, issuance of security advisories, compliance with Best Management Practices (BMP) against piracy, validation of citadel preparedness, and coordination among multiple maritime security agencies.
Jagannathan further stated that, under the direction of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the DGMA has established a dedicated system to track every Indian seafarer sailing through high-risk waters, ensuring greater accountability for their safety, security and timely repatriation in case of emergencies.
Addressing the conference, Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the importance of strengthening maritime security as India’s global shipping presence continues to grow.
“As India’s maritime footprint expands, our responsibility to secure it grows,” the Minister said.
The developments underscore the increasing security challenges facing the global maritime industry, with geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts and piracy posing serious risks to international trade, shipping operations and the welfare of seafarers.
