**Executive Summary**
This DGS Circular, dated January 14, 2026, advises Indian seafarers and shipping stakeholders regarding travel to and operations within Iran, following advisories from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Tehran concerning the deteriorating security situation. It strongly advises against travel to Iran and outlines safety precautions for those currently in Iran or operating vessels in the region. The circular stresses monitoring of official advisories and provides contact information for emergency assistance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Travel Advisory:**
* Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travel to Iran until further notice.
* Indian citizens currently in Iran are advised to leave the country at the earliest.
* **Operational Precautions:**
* All Indian seafarers, RPSL companies, shipping companies, trade unions, and maritime stakeholders are strongly advised to closely monitor the safety, security, and status of Indian crew members onboard vessels operating in Iranian waters or nearby regions.
* RPSL and shipping companies are advised not to deploy or send Indian seafarers to Iran until further orders.
* Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers on foreign flag vessels calling at ports of Iran or transiting through the Strait of Hormuz are advised to exercise utmost caution.
* **Instructions for Seafarers in Iran:**
* Remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement ashore.
* Follow the Embassy of India, Tehran's official advisories and social media updates.
* Adhere to safety protocols advised by local authorities.
* Coordinate departure from Iran through RPSL companies, shipping companies, trade unions, or local agents, where feasible.
* **Monitoring Resources:**
* All stakeholders are requested to regularly monitor the following websites:
* Directorate General of Shipping official website (www.dgshipping.gov.in)
* MEA official website (www.mea.gov.in)
* Embassy of India, Tehran's official social media handles.
* **Emergency Contact:**
* For assistance or emergency queries, the DG Communication Centre can be contacted at:
* Email: dgcommcentre-dgs(@nic.in
* WhatsApp: +91 8657549760
* Alternate Numbers: +91 22 22613606 / +91 8657549760 / +91 8657549752
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Seafarers**
* **Impact:** Their travel plans to Iran may be disrupted, and they must exercise extreme caution if currently in Iran or operating in the region.
* **Action Required:** Monitor advisories, follow safety guidelines, and coordinate departure if currently in Iran.
**RPSL Companies and Shipping Companies**
* **Impact:** They must cease deploying seafarers to Iran and ensure the safety of their crew members currently operating in the region.
* **Action Required:** Halt deployments to Iran and closely monitor the situation.
**Trade Unions and Maritime Stakeholders (INSA, FOSMA, MASSA, etc.)**
* **Impact:** They must disseminate the advisory to their members and monitor the safety and security of Indian crew members.
* **Action Required:** Communicate the advisory and ensure members are aware of the risks.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian ministry responsible for the subject matter of the advisory concerning seafarers.
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuing authority of the circular, responsible for implementing the advisory.
Embassy of India, Tehran: An entity providing advice to Indian citizens in Iran, whose advisories the circular references.
Iran: The location to which the advisory pertains due to security concerns.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): The ministry which originally issued the advisory prompting the Directorate General of Shipping's circular.
F. No. 23-CIR/3/2025-CREW-DGS (C. No. 34882) Date: 14.01.2026
DGS Circular 01 of 2026
ADVISORY
Subject: Advisory to Indian Seafarers and Shipping Stakeholders in view of MEA
Advisory on Iran – reg.
Reference is made to the advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
on 14.01.2026, wherein Indian nationals have been strongly advised to avoid travel to Iran
until further notice, citing the deteriorating security situation and continuing protests in the
country. Further, the Embassy of India, Tehran, has advised Indian citizens currently in
Iran to leave the country at the earliest, using available means of transport, including
commercial flights, as conveyed through its official communication and social media
advisory. Copy of the same is enclosed.
2. In view of the above, all Indian seafarers, RPSL companies, shipping companies, trade
unions, and maritime stakeholders, including INSA, FOSMA, MASSA, etc., are strongly
advised to closely monitor the safety, security, and status of Indian crew members onboard
vessels operating in Iranian waters or nearby regions. Indian seafarers currently in Iran are
advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the Embassy of India, Tehran, and MEA
from time to time. Additionally, all RPSL companies and shipping companies are hereby
advised not to deploy or send Indian seafarers to Iran until further orders.
3. Further, all Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers on foreign flag vessels calling at
ports of Iran or transiting through the Strait of Hormuz are advised to exercise utmost
caution while operating in or navigating through the region, keeping in view the prevailing
security situation.
4. Indian seafarers presently in Iran awaiting joining vessels or waiting for wages or safe
repatriation after their sign off to India are requested to:
a. Remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement ashore,
b. Follow the Embassy of India, Tehran’s official advisories and social media updates,
c. Adhere to safety protocols advised by local authorities, and
d. Wherever feasible, coordinate through RPSL companies / Shipping Companies /
Trade unions / local agents to facilitate their safe departure from Iran.