India Advises Shipping Firms Against Deploying Seafarers In Hormuz After Death
India issues safety advisory after sailor death in Hormuz region.
India's maritime authorities have advised shipping companies to stop deploying Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz amid rising security threats in the Gulf region. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) issued the directive following a series of attacks on commercial vessels, including an incident that resulted in the death of an Indian crew member. The precautionary measure will remain in effect until further orders as authorities continue to assess the security situation.
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), through Circular No. 36 of 2026, instructed ship owners, ship managers, and Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers Licence (RPSL) companies to avoid assigning Indian seafarers to vessels undertaking voyages through the Strait of Hormuz. The advisory highlighted growing risks for commercial shipping operations in the conflict-affected region and stressed the need to prioritise the safety of Indian maritime workers.
The circular referred to recent attacks involving five merchant vessels — Mombasa B, Al Bahyah, GFS Galaxy, MT Wedyan, and Al Rekayyat — stating that such incidents have significantly increased risks for ships and crew operating in the area. It noted that continued attacks in the Persian Gulf region, along with casualties involving Indian seafarers, required stronger precautionary measures to protect personnel working aboard international vessels.
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As part of the safety guidelines, the authorities directed masters of vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and nearby waters to maintain heightened security awareness. Ship operators have been instructed to closely monitor navigational warnings, security advisories, and official updates while ensuring compliance with Ship Security Measures, Ship Security Plans, and company security procedures under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The advisory follows a missile strike on two UAE-flagged tankers, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, while they were travelling through the southern shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz. The attack reportedly killed one Indian crew member and injured eight others. The maritime regulator has also provided emergency contact points, including the DG Communication Centre (MMDAC) and the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), for vessels and seafarers requiring urgent assistance. The move reflects India's efforts to strengthen protection measures for its maritime workforce amid growing regional instability.
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