The Government of India has advised Indian nationals to carefully assess security risks before accepting jobs on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected Black Sea region, following a series of attacks on merchant ships that have claimed the lives of five Indian seafarers in recent weeks.
In an advisory issued on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) warned that the security situation in and around the Black Sea remains highly volatile due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The ministry noted that commercial vessels operating in the region face significant threats, including missile and drone attacks, with incidents increasing since April.
The advisory comes a day after the merchant vessel MV AGN Ragnar, carrying four Indian nationals, was struck while berthed at Ukraine’s Port of Odesa.
According to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine, two of the four Indian crew members have been confirmed safe, while information on the remaining two is still awaited. Search and rescue operations are underway, and the embassy is coordinating closely with Ukrainian authorities and other concerned agencies to determine their status and provide necessary assistance.
The embassy said it is closely monitoring the situation following the incident, which occurred on July 25. Details regarding the source of the strike, the total crew onboard, and the identities and roles of the Indian seafarers have not yet been disclosed.
In its advisory, the MEA urged Indian nationals considering employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict zone to carefully evaluate the prevailing security situation before accepting assignments.
For those who choose to work in the region, the ministry advised obtaining comprehensive information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding the vessel’s trading route, ports of call, onboard security measures, insurance coverage and emergency response procedures.
The MEA also emphasized that employment contracts should comply with international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of emergencies.
Additionally, Indian seafarers were advised to keep their families informed about their voyage plans, maintain regular communication, and contact the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate for consular assistance whenever required.
The latest advisory follows a string of attacks on merchant vessels in the Black Sea, where five Indian seafarers have lost their lives within the past week, highlighting the escalating risks faced by commercial shipping amid the ongoing conflict.
Odesa, Ukraine’s largest Black Sea port, has been repeatedly targeted by missile and drone strikes since the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022, posing continued challenges to global maritime trade and the safety of merchant seafarers operating in the region.
