Centre Launches Seafarer-First Mission Amid West Asia Maritime Crisis
Amid rising maritime security tensions in West Asia, the Center has launched a comprehensive ‘Seafarer First’ emergency response to protect Indian seafarers operating in the conflict-hit region and instructed authorities to monitor every Indian seafarer sailing in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, irrespective of the flag under which their ships operate.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a high-level inter-ministerial review meeting on Tuesday and directed the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to create a comprehensive ship-wise operational dashboard that will provide real-time information on Indian crew members on ships operating in the region.
According to the official statement, the dashboard will track the ship’s location, ownership, cargo, crew strength, crew welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call and availability of emergency support facilities.
“There can be no compromise on the safety and security of Indian seafarers,” Sonowal said, directing the authorities to ensure that every Indian seafarer in the affected area is accounted for individually.
The Minister also ordered the appointment of special liaison officers for each affected Indian seafarer. These officers will act as a single point of contact for families, coordinating medical updates, travel documents, repatriation, financial assistance through the Seafarers Welfare Fund, outstanding wages, contractual benefits and compensation.
The review meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, Directorate General of Shipping, Ministries of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Chemicals and Fertilizers, as well as representatives of Indian missions in Iran and Oman.
The move follows attacks on two commercial ships – MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa – in the Strait of Hormuz. The ships carried 46 crew members, including 30 Indians. One Indian sailor was killed and another was injured aboard MT Al Bahiyah; Nine Indian crew members were injured on MT Mombasa.
Separately, another merchant ship was attacked off the coast of Oman on 12 July. While ten Indian crew members were rescued, a marine engineer later died after being reported missing.
India also called on Iran’s deputy chief of mission in New Delhi to strongly protest the attacks on commercial ships and reiterated its concerns over the safety of civilian shipping in the region.
The government has directed Indian missions in Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates and other regional countries to maintain round-the-clock coordination for verified updates on navigational safety, medical evacuation, port access, repatriation procedures and ongoing investigations.
Sonowal also instructed ship owners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) bodies to ensure that no Indian seafarer is forced to travel in high-risk waters without adequate information, protection and support.
The Minister stated that India has also raised the issue at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and relevant flag administrations, and emphasized that attacks on civilian commercial ships violate international conventions and threaten the security of global maritime.
To minimize risks to Indian seafarers as tensions in West Asia continue to escalate, every ship passing through the conflict zone will now undergo a fresh threat assessment in consultation with maritime authorities, the Center said.
