Citing heightened security risks amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed shipowners and recruitment agencies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on board ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz until further orders.
Shipowners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Services Companies (RPSL) are directed to avoid deployment of Indian seafarers on board ships undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders, a circular issued by Marine Surveyor and Deputy Director General (Technical) Ravi Singh Sikarwar said.
So far, nine Indians have died in the West Asia crisis, and one is still missing. Seven Indians were injured.
The circular said recent incidents involving attacks on commercial vessels, including the Mombasa B, Bahia, GFS Galaxy, MT, Dian and Al-Rakyat, over the past few days have led to a significant increase in the risks faced by seafarers and commercial vessels operating in the conflict-affected area.
In view of the heightened security situation in the Arabian Gulf region, including incidents resulting in casualties among Indian seafarers and continued attacks on commercial vessels during the ongoing conflict, the Directorate deems it necessary to adopt enhanced precautionary measures to protect the interests of Indian seafarers working on board vessels operating in the region, Sikarwar said in the circular.
The DGMA also called for increased security vigilance, noting that masters of ships operating in the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters must maintain a high level of security, continuously monitor navigational warnings, security advisories and updates issued by relevant authorities, and implement all applicable ship security measures, Ship Security Plans (SSP) and company security procedures in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS).
“Any step to deal with the crisis is welcome. But what about evacuation or passage steps for people stuck in the West Asian crisis,” said Manoj Yadav, general secretary of the Advanced Seafarers’ Union of India.
According to figures issued by the General Directorate of Maritime Administration, there are eight Indian ships in the Arabian Gulf (west of the Strait of Hormuz), with 171 Indian sailors on board.
Data released on Wednesday evening show that a total of 17 vessels of Indian interest, including Indian-flagged vessels and foreign-flagged vessels bound for India, remain in the Persian Gulf (west of the Strait of Hormuz) and have been identified for evacuation.
A total of 3,932 seafarers had been evacuated by various shipping companies as of 15 July.
