The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf region. Among these, 24 ships with 677 Indian seafarers are situated west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels with 101 Indian seafarers are positioned to the east. Authorities are actively overseeing the safety and security of all Indian vessels and crew members.
Ship managers, recruitment agencies, and authorities are working closely with Indian embassies and local officials to ensure the well-being of Indian seafarers and provide necessary medical aid. Precautionary advisories issued by DG Shipping on February 28 to safeguard Indian seafarers, Indian-flagged vessels, and maritime trade operations are still in effect.
In response to the stable port operations across India, a Standard Operating Procedure has been implemented at major ports and State Maritime Boards. This aims to facilitate shipping lines and exporters through stakeholder coordination and timely grievance redressal. Additionally, major ports have appointed nodal officers as Single Points of Contact to streamline communication.
To support maritime trade, major ports have been instructed to offer priority berthing for LPG vessels and implement facilitation measures such as storing affected Middle East-bound cargo as transshipment cargo. They are also providing additional storage space, enabling ad-hoc vessel berthing, and expediting various cargo handling processes in coordination with Customs.
The government has initiated coordinated efforts encompassing infrastructure, financial facilitation, energy security monitoring, and vessel safety operations. A 24-hour control room is operational at both the Ministry and the Directorate General of Shipping to maintain constant communication with ship owners, operators, and seafarers’ families for updates and assistance.
Amid recent maritime incidents involving Indian crew on foreign-flag vessels, the Ministry reported that out of 78 Indian seafarers on these vessels, 70 escaped unharmed, 4 sustained injuries but are stable, while unfortunately, 3 casualties occurred, and one seafarer is currently missing. The Ministry continues to enhance monitoring and preparedness measures in response to the evolving maritime situation in the Persian Gulf region.
