Amid multiple attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, India’s shipping regulator – the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has told shipping companies to restrict the deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas.
Taking a serious note of such incidents, India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) advised on Monday, July 13 all recruitment and placement services license (RPSL) companies and shipping companies to restrict the deployment or send Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders.
“However, companies may carry out crew change in emergency situations with the consent of crew members,” it said.
In its latest advisory issued on July 15, India’s shipping regulator also told ship owners, ship managers and RPSL companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders.
India has one of the largest seafaring workforces in the world, and multiple security incidents involving merchant vessels carrying Indian seafarers have highlighted the increasing risks faced by commercial ships operating in the Gulf region, particularly in and around the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
Keeping in view the escalating security situation in the region, the country’s shipping regulator urged all stakeholders to verify the authenticity of any news/videos etc of security incidents onboard ships from the government sources and avoid circulating unverified news, social media posts and fake videos to protect the interests of Indian seafarers.
It also asked masters of vessels operating in or transiting through the Gulf region, including the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, to maintain heightened security awareness, closely monitor navigational warnings received and advisories issued by security agencies, and implement all applicable ship security measures and company security procedures.
According to the circular issued by the DGS on Monday, stakeholders shall continuously monitor advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Missions abroad and other competent authorities and promptly report any incident involving Indian seafarers to the DG Communication Centre and Crew Branch.
