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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING & WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3247
ANSWERED ON 07.08.2026
INDIAN SEAFARERS IN CONFLICT ZONES
3247 SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether it is true that the Directorate General of Shipping has advised maritime
recruitment and placement agencies not to deploy Indian seafarers to conflict
zones until further notice;
(b) whether it is also true that these directives were issued after three Indian
seafarers were killed and many were injured or missing in a U.S. strike on a
ship off the coast of Oman;
(c) whether it is also true that the Directorate General of Shipping is closely
monitoring the evolving situation in coordination with all concerned in the light
of continued attack on ships that carry Indian seafarers; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING & WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (d) In view of the evolving maritime security situation, the Directorate General of
Maritime Administration (DGMA), a subordinate body under this Ministry progressively
updates its advisories in response to the evolving security situation across the region.
Advisories are precautionary in nature and are intended to enhance the safety and
security of lndian seafarers. They were issued in response to the evolving security
situation and not to any single incident.
Further, from the onset of the security situation in the Strait of Hormuz, several
measures have been taken to safeguard lndian seafarers. These include the
establishment of a dedicated 24x7 Control Room, maintenance of a live vessel-and-
crew database, and issuance of a Situation Report (SITREP) every 24 hours (currently
SITREP No. 165) to monitor the movement of vessels, lndian seafarers, incidents and
casualties. DGMA has also developed an integrated digital platform with dedicated
24x7 Marine Casualty Reporting, Crisis Management and Seafarer Grievance
Redressal modules to ensure prompt reporting and response. The evolving maritimesecurity situation is being continuously monitored through the DG Communication
Centre (DGCOMM) in coordination with the Indian Navy, Flag States, coastal
authorities, shipowners, ship managers, Recruitment and Placement Services Licence
(RPSL) agencies and other concerned stakeholders. The details are placed at
Annexure.Annexure
(1) Round-the-clock monitoring, reporting and crisis-response backbone
(i) DG Communication Centre (MMDAC) – the central maritime distress
and coordination node, manned 24x7, together with a dedicated 24-hour
Control Room.
(ii) Daily ship reporting advisory – vessels in the region report through the
online Ship Reporting Form, maintaining a live vessel-and-crew database.
(iii) Continuous real-time monitoring – through the DGComm Centre, with a
Situation Report issued every 24 hours (currently SITREP No. 165) to track
vessels, seafarers, incidents and casualties.
(iv) eNavik Portal – an integrated digital platform with dedicated 24x7 Marine
Casualty Reporting, Crisis Management and Seafarer Grievance Redressal
modules, providing digital incident reporting with automated routing to the
concerned authorities and real-time tracking of response measures.
(2) Whole-of-government and international coordination
(i) Inter-agency coordination is maintained by DGMA/ Ministry of Ports,
Shipping & Waterways with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Navy, the
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, the Department of Fertilizers, the IFC-IOR
and Indian Missions abroad.
(ii) International coordination – evacuation of stranded seafarers is pursued
through a coordinated mechanism involving the IMO, the UKMTO, the MICA
Centre and coastal States.
(3) Evacuation and repatriation
As on 03 August 2026, 4052 seafarers have been repatriated from the Gulf
region and 62 vessels have successfully transited Strait of Hormuz (23 Indian-
flagged and 39 foreign-flagged) for India.
(4) RPSL / e-migration system
Single point of control – every Indian seafarer is engaged through a licensed
RPSL agency and cannot clear e-migration or sign on to a vessel without
formal, verified approval.
(5) Welfare and Assistance
i. Family support – close and continuing contact with the families of
affected seafarers is maintained.
ii. Compensation in fatality cases – immediate support including release of
Rs. 10,00,000 through the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society.iii. 24x7 grievance redressal – multiple always-on channels for assistance
domestic toll-free 1800-889-7768; international toll-free (USA) +1-888-
988-0256; WhatsApp +91 8655856830; email enavik.24x7@gov.in; and
the e-Navik grievance portal.
(6) Advisories to Ensure the Safety and Security of Indian Seafarers:
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 security
measures 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.
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