India has directed ship owners, ship managers and recruitment companies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) said in an order issued on Wednesday.
India is the world's third-largest supplier of seafarers with more than 3,00,000 sailors working on ships worldwide, according to government data. The move comes after two Indian seafarers were killed in separate attacks on vessels in the region over the past three days.
In its order dated July 15, the DGMA instructed ship owners, ship managers and recruitment companies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders. “Companies are directed to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders,” the notice said.
The shipping regulator said recent attacks on commercial vessels had “significantly” increased the risks for seafarers operating in the conflict-hit region.
“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 asked masters of vessels to remain alert to the security situation in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters and to continuously monitor navigational warnings. The notice said, “DGMA continues to closely monitor the evolving security situation and remains committed to safeguarding the safety, security and welfare of Indian seafarers.”
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