The central government has directed shipping companies, ship managers and recruitment agencies to stop deploying Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, as the security situation in the Persian Gulf deteriorates following renewed attacks on commercial shipping.
The advisory, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), comes after two Indian seafarers were killed in separate attacks on merchant vessels in the region over the past three days. The government has also stepped up diplomatic efforts, including lodging a strong protest with Iran over one of the deaths.
India is the world's third-largest supplier of seafarers, with more than 3 lakh Indian sailors serving on merchant ships across international fleets.
Indian officers and crew are widely employed by leading global shipping companies because of their technical expertise and English-language proficiency. They serve on container ships, oil tankers, LNG carriers, bulk carriers and offshore vessels operating across major international trade routes.
A significant number of Indian seafarers routinely work on ships operating in the Gulf region, including vessels transporting crude oil, petroleum products and LNG through the Strait of Hormuz. The latest advisory is expected to affect crew deployment for several shipping companies operating on these routes.
The DGS said the recent attacks have significantly increased the risks faced by commercial ships and their crews operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and adjoining waters.
Ship masters have been instructed to remain on high alert, closely monitor security developments and navigational warnings, and adopt enhanced safety measures while operating in the region.
The deployment ban will remain in force until further orders.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Nearly one-fifth of global oil and a substantial share of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports pass through the narrow waterway every day.
Any disruption to shipping through Hormuz can have an immediate impact on global energy prices, freight rates and supply chains.
The latest measures reflect New Delhi's growing concern over the risks posed to Indian seafarers as geopolitical tensions continue to threaten one of the world's busiest shipping corridors.