In the meantime, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has issued an important advisory telling shipping companies to avoid bringing in Indian seafarers on ships that are travelling in the Strait of Hormuz until further advisories are given due to the state of security in the Gulf.
The advisory comes at a time of increasing regional tensions and following recent attacks on merchant vessels that have significantly increased risks to commercial shipping operating in one of the world’s busiest maritime routes.
The Strait of Hormuz, which runs between Oman and Iran, is a strategic waterway connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. The bulk of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are made through this narrow shipping lane every day, and it is a critical artery for global energy supplies and international trade.
As the DGMA says, the current security environment poses a high threat to merchant ships and their crews. As a precautionary measure, Indian shipping companies have been advised to refrain from appointing Indian seafarers to vessels that are going to pass the Strait of Hormuz until the situation is better or new instructions are issued.
The advisory highlights the government’s concern for the welfare of Indian maritime professionals, who are among the largest seafaring workforces in the world. Indian seafarers work on thousands of cargo ships, tankers, container vessels, and offshore platforms in international waters.
Apart from the deployment advisory, the DGMA has advised Indian seafarers already working in the area to remain vigilant and begin contacting for help immediately in the event of an emergency. Seafarers are also urged to contact the DGMA Communication Centre or the Indian Navy Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) for assistance, coordination and emergency response in this case.
The IFC-IOR in Gurugram plays an important role in maritime domain awareness through sharing real-time information about shipping activities, piracy, maritime incidents, and regional security developments with partner countries and commercial shipping operators.
Recent attacks on commercial vessels have increased fears of maritime security in the Gulf, with shipping companies in the world in general and in particular globally reassessing operational risks, insurance costs, voyage planning, and crew safety measures. Several international maritime organizations have also suggested increased vigilance of ships in or near the region.
The Strait of Hormuz is still one of the world’s biggest chokepoints, and any disruption of shipping through the passage can have a huge impact on oil prices, supply networks and international trade. So governments and navies keep an eye on the industry and commercial shipping to protect the freedom of navigation and safety.
India has significant strategic interests in the Gulf due to its dependence on energy imports and the huge Indian diaspora in the region. Protecting Indian citizens, including seafarers, in times of geopolitical uncertainty is a priority.
The DGMA’s advisories are precautionary in nature and are designed to minimize risks and leave authorities with the capacity to assess the security situation with a continuing perspective, maritime experts say. Shipping companies should keep an eye on voyage plans carefully, enhance security measures at sea, and be in close touch with the relevant maritime authorities.
As tension rises in the Gulf, the DGMA is likely to monitor developments closely and provide updated guidance as needed. Indian shipping corporations and marine professionals (and also those in the Gulf) will be advised to take safety first and follow official advice, and take safety measures at risk on the ground and in high-risk maritime zones, and to keep up with these advisories, and to act based on the best of our knowledge.
