India maritime advisory warnings have been issued for seafarers operating near the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman after attacks on merchant vessels raised new crew safety concerns.
The Directorate General of Shipping has advised ships and crews in Iranian waters, the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf to remain on high alert as tensions affect one of the world’s most sensitive shipping corridors.
India Maritime Advisory Covers Crews Near Hormuz
The advisory applies to nearly 18,000 Indian seafarers working on hundreds of foreign-flagged merchant vessels in the Gulf region. It also covers 622 Indian seafarers aboard 13 India-flagged vessels operating west and east of the Strait of Hormuz.
The warning follows three attacks on commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members. One deadly incident off Oman killed three sailors. The sailors had been reported missing after an attack on a tanker that U.S. officials said was carrying Iranian oil and had not complied with instructions from American forces.
Indian Crews Told to Watch for Drones and Missiles
Shipowners, operators and masters have been directed to strengthen onboard security. The advisory calls for security drills, testing of Ship Security Alert Systems, enhanced watches and close monitoring of navigational warnings.
Crews have also been told to follow reporting protocols and stay alert to drones, missiles, loitering munitions and unmanned surface vessels. Any suspicious activity or maritime security incident must be reported to Indian authorities, including the DGComm Centre and the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region.
India has about 3.2 lakh seafarers serving globally, making crew safety a major concern for New Delhi. The government has lodged a strong protest with the United States over incidents involving merchant vessels and Indian crew deaths, while increasing coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Navy, foreign governments and maritime agencies.
The advisory matters because Indian sailors form a major part of the global merchant shipping workforce, and instability near Hormuz can quickly affect crew safety, shipping operations and energy trade routes used by multiple countries.
