'No Indian seafarers on Hormuz-linked routes': DGMA's new order amid shipping ministry's 'Seafarer-First' response
This comes after renewed US-Iran tensions led to the deaths of at least two Indian seafarers aboard three attacked ships over the past few days
This comes after renewed US-Iran tensions led to the deaths of at least two Indian seafarers aboard three attacked ships over the past few days.
This comes after renewed US-Iran tensions led to the deaths of at least two Indian seafarers aboard three attacked ships over the past few days.
This comes after renewed US-Iran tensions led to the deaths of at least two Indian seafarers aboard three attacked ships over the past few days.
India on Thursday directed ship owners, ship managers, and recruitment companies not to deploy Indian-origin seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The order, issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) comes amid the shipping ministry's 'Seafarer-First' response to maritime vigil after the ceasefire broke down in the four-month-long war in the Gulf.
Renewed US-Iran tensions have led to the deaths of at least two Indian seafarers, who had been travelling aboard three ships that have faced attacks in the war-torn strait over the past few days.
The most recent death was that of 30-year-old Heramb Karmarkar, a marine engineer who died when the Cyprus-flagged container ship GFS Galaxy (IMO: 9401271) was hit by an "unidentified projectile" off the coast of Oman.
The other Indian sailor who died was 31-year-old Rohan Kumar, who died on July 14 after attacks on two UAE-bound crude oil tankers—the Mombasa B (IMO: 9739501) and the Al Bahyah (IMO: 9937799), both carrying the flag of Liberia.
The attacks prompted a strong response from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), as the vessels had been carrying at least 30 Indians altogether.
"We strongly condemn these attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting free and safe navigation through international waterways like the Strait of Hormuz," read a statement from the MEA.
The 'Seafarer-First' response
The 'Seafarer-First' response, initiated by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, marks an intensified whole-of-government approach to protecting Indian seafarers deployed in conflict-ridden zones at sea.
This approach was discussed in detail in a July 14 meeting chaired by Sonowal, which also saw senior officials from the MoPSW, MEA, Indian Navy, Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and the Indian Embassies in Iran and Oman, as well as other key stakeholders.
As a first step, the DGS has been tasked with establishing a comprehensive vessel-by-vessel dashboard to account for every Indian on every vessel—Indian or otherwise—operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman.
The dashboard will provide real-time information on vessel position, ownership, cargo, crew strength, crew welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call, and the availability of facilities.
A 24x7 grievance support system has been activated where concerns can be addressed. The domestic toll-free number is 1800-889-7768, while the international toll-free number is +1-888-988-0256. One can also send a message on WhatsApp to +91-8655856830 or email to enavik.24x7@gov.in.
A dedicated liaison officer for every Indian seafarer impacted by the crisis, and embassy support in updating the DGS dashboard are other key aspects of the MoPSW's 'Seafarer-First' response so far.