India Limits Seafarer Deployment to Conflict Zones as Shipping Authority Releases New Advisory
Days after a US military strike off the coast of Oman resulted in the deaths of three Indian seafarers aboard the MT Settebello, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a directive to maritime recruitment and placement agencies. The DGS has advised these agencies to halt the deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict zones until further notice. Additionally, vessels operating in or transiting through the Gulf region, including the Strait of Hormuz, are urged to enhance security measures due to rising risks.
The DGS’s circular emphasizes that all recruitment and placement service license (RPSL) companies and shipping firms must refrain from sending Indian seafarers to conflict areas. However, crew changes may proceed in emergency situations with the consent of the crew members. The advisory comes in light of recent security incidents involving merchant vessels with Indian crews, including the MT Marivex, MT Settebello, and MV Jalveer.
Vessels operating in the affected areas are instructed to maintain heightened security awareness. The DGS recommends that shipmasters closely monitor navigational warnings and advisories from security agencies and implement all relevant security measures. The regulator is actively monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Indian Navy to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers.
This advisory follows India’s formal protest to the US regarding the military attack on the commercial vessel Settebello, which left three of the 24 Indian crew members unaccounted for. The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack, stating that 21 of the Indian crew have been rescued while three remain missing. The incident occurs amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
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