The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said on Thursday that the government is on high alert to protect Indian sailors in the Gulf, hours after it confirmed the killing of three Indian sailors following an attack on a ship in the Gulf of Oman. To ensure support for Indian seafarers, the government is monitoring developments near the Strait of Hormuz and other adjoining areas, and is in close coordination with maritime departments of friendly countries and shipping companies, the bulletins said.
Three Indians, identified as Patnala Suresh (44), Aditya Sharma (23) and Shivanand Chaurasia (38), were killed after the Palau-flagged ship MT Setibelo was attacked by a US aircraft amid the ongoing war with Iran.
“Recent security incidents involving commercial vessels operating in the region have highlighted the increasing risks facing commercial shipping,” the government said on Thursday, adding that all relevant agencies have been asked to remain on “high alert” and “maintain preparedness to respond to any emergency involving Indian seafarers or Indian maritime interests.” Follow live updates on the war between Iran and the United States
Besides, sailors crossing the turbulent waters via Indian and foreign ships have been asked to remain cautious. Ship operators, ship managers and shipping companies were also ordered to maintain maritime protocol and ensure the safety of seafarers.
The government also said that there are dedicated communication channels to secure seafarers around the clock.
Three oil tankers carrying Indians were attacked
Concerns about the security of maritime trade for India increased this week, as three ships carrying Indian crew members were attacked in the Gulf of Oman.
First, the Palau-flagged ship Marifix, which the US said was an empty oil tanker, was hit. US Central Command had claimed that the ship was trying to break through the naval blockade by trying to reach an Iranian port. However, all 24 Indian crew members on board the ship were rescued.
Secondly, Mount Stabilo, which flies the Palau flag, was hit. This is the attack after which the three Indian sailors were declared missing, and their deaths were later confirmed. “This is a huge loss to our Navy family. The Modi government stands firmly with the bereaved during this difficult hour and is fully committed to supporting the next of kin,” Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Among those killed in this attack, one was a marine engineer from Visakhapatnam, another an engine technician from Uttar Pradesh, and the third from Himachal Pradesh who was under training as a deck cadet.
Third, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship Galvier was attacked by US forces in the Gulf of Oman. All 20 Indian nationals on board Gulliver were reported safe. The ship usually transports goods from UAE to India.
“The big ships were taken out.”
Amid continued attacks on tankers carrying Indian crew, US President Donald Trump on Thursday praised US strikes on commercial ships in the Gulf. Trump said: “We’ve destroyed a lot of ships that no one knew about… Over the last month, we’ve destroyed big ships, quietly at night… We bombed their (Iranian) radar and everything so they can’t see what’s going on… A lot of ships, a lot of oil coming out this way….”
According to US Central Command, nine non-compliant ships have been disabled, 135 ships have been redirected, and 42 ships supporting humanitarian aid have been allowed to pass since the naval blockade was imposed in April.
