Avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels moving via Strait of Hormuz: DGMA to shipping companies

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed ship owners, ship managers and recruitment and placement service companies to refrain from posting Indian seafarers on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders come in amid the West Asian crisis.

In its advisory statement, DGCA said that the captains of ships operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters should maintain a high level of security vigilance. They are tasked with monitoring navigational warnings, safety advisories and updates issued by competent authorities and implementing all applicable ship security measures in accordance with the International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) code.

“Ship owners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) companies have been instructed to refrain from employing Indian seafarers on ships undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice,” the statement said.

Control panel for information

The warning follows attacks on two ships this week. MT Al Bahiyah And MT Mombasa – In the Strait of Hormuz. The ships were carrying 30 Indian sailors among the total crew of 46. One Indian sailor died on the ship and another was injured. MT Al Bahiyah. Open MT Mombasa9 Indian citizens were also injured.

The government on Tuesday had asked the maritime authority to set up a dashboard that would provide real-time information on Indian seafarers on every ship operating in the region, regardless of the flag of the ship.

Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had asked the DGMA to create a comprehensive ship-wise operational dashboard that would account for every Indian on every ship, irrespective of its flag, operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.