New Delhi: The Government of India has taken decisive action following a sharp escalation in tensions between the United States and Iran, directing shipping firms to stop deploying Indian sailors on vessels transiting the volatile Strait of Hormuz. The critical safety advisory was issued by the Directorate General of Shipping through the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), following recent targeted attacks on commercial vessels that have directly endangered international crews in the conflict-affected region.
In an official update shared on the social media platform X, the maritime regulator asserted that the emergency directive is aimed at prioritizing the safety, security, and welfare of Indian mariners. The DGMA has instructed ship owners, maritime operators, and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) companies to strictly avoid onboarding Indian seafarers for any voyages scheduled through the key maritime choke point until further orders are issued.
Alongside the deployment freeze, the advisory has ordered the masters of vessels currently operating within the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and adjacent waters to maintain the highest levels of security vigilance. Maritime operators must continuously monitor official navigational warnings and strictly adhere to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Commercial vessels have also been instructed to establish immediate contact with the DGMA Communication Centre (MMDAC) or the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) to report any emergency development.
The central government’s urgent intervention comes in the wake of severe hostilities that broke out on February 28 following US-led military strikes against Iranian targets, which triggered retaliatory attacks on regional commercial corridors. The escalating maritime warfare has already claimed the lives of 14 Indian nationals, with multiple commercial vessels, including Mombasa B, Al Bahyah, and GFS Galaxy, recently sustaining heavy damage. In a strong diplomatic protest prior to issuing the ban, India formally summoned the Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission to condemn the hostile targeting of international shipping links that left one Indian sailor dead and 10 others wounded.
