Parliament Question: Evacuation of Seafarers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3310 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2026 EVACUATION OF SEAFARERS 3310. SHRI TANUJ PUNIA: Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state: प(cid:419)न, पोत प(cid:464)रवहन और जलमाग (cid:91) म(cid:287)ं ी (a) the names of the Ministers and Embassies with whom coordination mechanisms have been established for rapid medical response and emergency evacuation under the Seafarer First Plan; (b) whether the Government has made it mandatory for shipowners and recruitment agencies not to force any Indian seafarer to undertake duty on sensitive routes without adequate protection; and (c) the role of dedicated liaison officers to be appointed to assist the families of affected sailors? ANSWER MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways is coordinating through Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassies all over the world and also through Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) a subordinate body under this Ministry with Port State Authorities, Flag State Authorities and Recruitment and Placement Service License [RPSL] agencies, for rapid medical response and emergency evacuation under the seafarer First Plan. (b) The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), has issued a series of advisories in view of the maritime security environment, in conflict-affected regions, including the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea, and the Yemen/Red Sea region. These advisories are precautionary in nature and are intended to enhance the safety and security of Indian seafarers. The details are placed at Annexure. (c) The Government, through the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), has designated dedicated officers for continuous coordination, communication, and welfare support to Indian seafarers and their families during maritime emergencies and crisis situations. These officers function as liaison officers and are responsible for maintaining regular engagement with the Next of Kin (NoK),Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) agencies, shipping companies, Indian Missions abroad, maritime administrations, and other concerned stakeholders to ensure timely assistance and coordinated response. Vide Order dated 02.03.2026, a dedicated 24×7 Quick Response Team has been constituted in DGMA to provide immediate response, evacuation coordination, crisis management, and welfare support. The responsibilities assigned to the designated officers include:  Maintaining continuous communication with the families and Next of Kin (NoK) of affected seafarers.  Coordinating with RPSL agencies, shipping companies, Indian Missions abroad, port authorities, and other stakeholders for obtaining real-time information and facilitating timely assistance.  Providing immediate support through the DG Communication Centre operating round-the-clock via dedicated telephone, WhatsApp, and email channels.  Facilitating evacuation, repatriation, welfare assistance, and dissemination of advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.  Monitoring the status and location of affected seafarers, submitting periodic situation reports, and ensuring prompt response to emergencies affecting the safety, security, and welfare of Indian seafarers. Accordingly, a structured mechanism has been established through designated liaison officers and a dedicated 24×7 response team to ensure continuous engagement with affected families and timely coordination for all welfare, relief, communication, and support-related matters.ANNEXURE Advisories to Ensure the Safety and Security of Indian Seafarers: Following advisories operate alongside the standing maritime security architecture established under DGS Circular No. 08 of 2024 dated 10.04.2024 and are supported by a 24-hour Control Room, continuous real-time monitoring through the DG Communication Centre under DGMA, and the issue of a Situation Report every 24 hours. i. DGS Advisory (14.01.2026) – Advisory to Indian Seafarers and Shipping Stakeholders in view of MEA Advisory on Iran, advising shipping companies not to deploy Indian seafarers to Iran until further orders, requiring close monitoring of Indian crews in the region, and directing seafarers to follow advisories issued by the Embassy of India and the Ministry of External Affairs. ii. DGS Circular 09 of 2026 (28.02.2026) – Urgent Advisory to Indian Seafarers and Shipping Stakeholders in view of Escalating Situation in Iran, requiring Indian seafarers in Iran to remain vigilant, register with the Embassy of India, coordinate for safe departure where feasible, and directing stakeholders to immediately provide details of Indian seafarers in affected areas. iii. DGS Circular 10 of 2026 (06.03.2026) – Safety Advisory for Indian Seafarers and Shipping Stakeholders Operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Adjacent Waters, advising continuous vigilance, compliance with ISPS Code security measures, establishment of 24x7 emergency contact mechanisms, liaison with Indian Missions, emergency preparedness, and psychological counselling support for seafarers and their families where necessary. iv. DGS Circular 11 of 2026 (07.03.2026) – Social Media Advisory to Maritime Stakeholders and Seafarer Community, directing maritime stakeholders to refrain from circulating unverified information, rumors, fake videos or speculative reports and to rely only on authenticated information from official sources. v. DGS Circular 21 of 2026 (07.04.2026) – Safety Advisory for Indian Seafarers Ashore in Iranian Ports and Onboard Vessels Operating in or Around Iranian Waters, advising seafarers in Iran to remain at designated locations, avoid unnecessary travel, maintain heightened vigilance, follow Embassy advisories and remain in contact with company representatives, while also providing 24×7 emergency assistance contact details. vi. DGS Circular 31 of 2026 (13.06.2026) – Precautionary Measures for Indian Seafarers in view of the Heightened Security Situation in the Gulf Region, reiterating heightened security vigilance, directing shipping companies and RPSL companies to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders (except emergency crew changes with consent), monitoring and reporting requirements, and dissemination of verified security information. vii. DGS Circular No. 36 of 2026 {15.07.2026) : In view of renewed attacks on merchant vessels, DGS Circular No. 36 of 2026 mandated the implementation of full International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code securitymeasures and advised against the deployment of Indian seafarers on voyages transiting through the gulf region. viii. DGMA Circular No.41 of 2026 (23.07.2026) – Advisory issued for Indian and foreign flagged vessels carrying Indian seafarers operating in the Black Sea, requiring enhanced caution, voyage specific security assessments, strict adherence to security advisories and immediate reporting of incidents. ix. DGS Circular No.42 of 2026 (23.07.2026) - Advisory issued for vessels operating in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Southern Red and adjoining Yemen waters, directing shipowners and masters to exercise utmost caution, continuous monitor security, developments and implement additional risk mitigation measures. *****