The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has advised fleet owners, shipping companies and recruitment agencies to restrict the deployment of Indian seafarers in conflict-prone areas of the Persian Gulf following a series of attacks on commercial vessels that have claimed Indian lives.
The advisory comes in the wake of recent attacks on three Indian-crewed tankers operating near the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. Three Indian seafarers were killed in an attack on the oil tanker MT Settebello on June 10, while two other vessels, MT Marivex and MT Jalveer, were also targeted within the past week.
In its security advisory issued on Saturday, the DGS directed all Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies and shipping companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers to conflict zones. However, the regulator clarified that crew changes may be undertaken in emergency situations with the consent of the seafarers concerned.
The DGS also instructed ship masters operating in or transiting through the Gulf region, including the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, to maintain heightened vigilance. Masters have been advised to closely monitor navigational warnings and security advisories and implement all applicable ship security measures and company security procedures.
According to the government, all 24 Indian crew members aboard MT Marivex were rescued safely, while 21 Indian seafarers were evacuated from MT Settebello following the attack that resulted in three fatalities. Authorities are also overseeing the safe evacuation of the crew from MT Jalveer.
The escalating security situation has drawn international concern. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has reported dozens of attacks on merchant vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz since late February, prompting calls for greater protection of commercial shipping and seafarers.
India has strongly protested the attacks through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of External Affairs has twice summoned US diplomats to convey its concerns, while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reiterated India’s position during a conversation with Marco Rubio on Saturday.
“Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar reportedly told Rubio, underscoring India’s demand for the safety of seafarers and the protection of international maritime trade routes.
