The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has sought Navy aid for Indian sailors and Indian-flagged vessels operating across dangerous shipping routes. Its appeal followed the sinking of MSV Faize Noore Oliya in the Red Sea, where all 13 Indian nationals aboard were rescued.
FSUI Calls for Navy Aid for Indian Sailors
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India urged the Union government to deploy Indian Navy assets to protect Indian seafarers and Indian-flagged vessels travelling through high-risk international waters.
In its appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the union said escalating hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States, along with the continuing Russia-Ukraine conflict, had increased the danger facing merchant crews.
FSUI said missile and drone attacks had transformed major commercial shipping corridors into active danger zones. It also referred to incidents in the Black Sea that reportedly caused casualties among Indian seafarers and left some crew members missing.
The union asked the government to strengthen protection for vessels operating in the Red Sea, the Black Sea and areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. It said the security measures should remain in place until the conflicts affecting maritime routes show clear signs of resolution.
Red Sea Attack Sinks Indian Ship
The appeal followed the August 4, 2026, attack on MSV Faize Noore Oliya, an Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel operating near Yemen.
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said a projectile struck the vessel in Yemeni waters, causing it to capsize and sink. Fourteen crew members were aboard, including 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni citizen. Rescue teams safely recovered everyone.
FSUI said the vessel came under attack while travelling through the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb region. Yemen’s government-aligned forces attributed the incident to the Houthis, although the union’s appeal did not independently establish responsibility for the strike.
The incident has renewed concern about the safety of merchant ships travelling between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Bab el-Mandeb serves as a critical passage for vessels using the Suez Canal route, making any disruption a significant threat to crews, cargo movement and international trade.
MEA Confirms Indian Crew Rescue
The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack and confirmed that all 13 Indian nationals aboard MSV Faize Noore Oliya had been rescued.
The ministry said the Indian Embassy in Riyadh was monitoring the situation and coordinating with Yemeni authorities to protect the crew. It also thanked the Yemeni authorities for their assistance during the rescue operation.
The MEA described repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region as deeply worrying. It called for an end to the targeting of merchant vessels and said countries must restore free and unhindered navigation through international waterways in accordance with international law.
Ship Safety Concerns Grow Near Yemen
The successful crew rescue prevented loss of life, but the sinking has exposed the continuing risks faced by Indian sailors working across conflict-affected waters.
FSUI’s request places pressure on the Centre to consider naval escorts, closer vessel tracking, emergency communication systems and faster coordination with coastal authorities. However, deploying warships across several distant conflict zones would require considerable naval resources and clear rules for protecting privately operated merchant vessels.
The government has not announced a new naval deployment in response to the union’s appeal. Until stronger measures emerge, shipping companies must closely follow official maritime advisories, assess route risks and maintain emergency plans for crews travelling through the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb.
