62 India-Bound Ships Transit Strait of Hormuz Safely Amid Regional Tensions
New Delhi — Sixty-two India-bound vessels have safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz amid heightened security concerns in the Gulf, while more than 4,000 seafarers have been repatriated from the region, Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal told Parliament Friday.
As of August 3, the vessels included 23 Indian-flagged ships and 39 sailing under foreign flags, Sonowal said in a written response in the Lok Sabha. A total of 4,052 seafarers have been repatriated from the Gulf region.
Sonowal said maritime authorities have continued to update security advisories as conditions in the Middle East evolve.
Following renewed attacks on merchant vessels, the Directorate General of Shipping has required ships to implement full International Ship and Port Facility Security Code measures and advised against deploying Indian seafarers on voyages passing through the Gulf region.
Authorities have also issued guidance for Indian and foreign-flagged ships carrying Indian seafarers in the Black Sea. The advisory calls for increased caution, voyage-specific security assessments, compliance with security directives and immediate reporting of incidents.
Separate guidance for vessels operating in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, southern Red Sea and waters near Yemen directs shipowners and masters to closely monitor security conditions and adopt additional risk-mitigation measures.
Sonowal said several systems have been established to protect Indian seafarers since security concerns intensified around the Strait of Hormuz. These include a dedicated 24-hour control room, a live database tracking vessels and crews, and daily situation reports monitoring ship movements, Indian seafarers, incidents and casualties.
The government has also established an integrated digital system for marine casualty reporting, crisis management and seafarer grievance redressal.
Maritime developments are being monitored through the Directorate General of Shipping’s communication center in coordination with the Indian Navy, coastal and flag-state authorities, shipowners, ship managers and recruitment agencies.
Vessels operating in affected areas submit information through an online reporting system, allowing authorities to maintain current records of ships and crews in the region.
The eNavik Portal also provides round-the-clock marine casualty reporting, crisis management and grievance services, including automated routing of incident reports to relevant authorities and real-time tracking of response measures.
Sonowal said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and maritime authorities are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy and Indian missions overseas. International organizations and maritime agencies are also involved in efforts to evacuate stranded seafarers.
The government is maintaining contact with families of affected seafarers and providing financial assistance in fatality cases.
“Welfare and assistance is also being provided by close and continuing contact with the families of affected seafarers and compensation is provided in fatality cases. Immediate support includes release of Rs 10,00,000 through the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society,” Sonowal said. (Source: IANS)
