New Delhi, India. India has ordered shipowners, ship managers and recruitment companies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, citing heightened security risks in the region.
The directive follows the deaths of two Indian seafarers in attacks on vessels in the region over the past three days.
Deployment order
The Directorate General of Shipping issued the order late Wednesday, stating: “No deployment of Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders.”
India is the world’s third-largest supplier of seafarers, with more than 300,000 sailors working across global shipping fleets, according to government data.
Security concerns
The shipping regulator said recent attacks on vessels had significantly increased risks for seafarers and commercial ships operating in the conflict-affected area.
“In view of the heightened security situation in the Persian Gulf region … the Directorate considers it necessary to adopt enhanced precautionary measures to safeguard the interests of Indian seafarers serving on board ships operating in the region,” the order said.
The regulator also instructed vessel masters to remain sufficiently vigilant regarding security conditions in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, and to continuously monitor navigational warnings.
Diplomatic response
New Delhi lodged a strong protest with Iran and summoned its deputy ambassador on Tuesday over one of the seafarer deaths.
