India Bars Seafarers from Strait of Hormuz After Attacks

India’s Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has issued an advisory directing ship owners, managers, and recruitment agencies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice. The move comes amid a series of attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf region, including the Mombasa B, Al Bahyah, GFS Galaxy, MT WEDYAN, and AL REKAYYAT, which have raised fears for the safety of seafarers. The DGMA emphasized that the safety, security, and welfare of Indian seafarers remain central to its mandate, especially given recent casualties. Masters of vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and adjoining waters are ordered to maintain heightened security vigilance, monitor advisories, and comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The advisory also provides emergency contact numbers for the DG Communication Centre and the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR). The directive follows escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran, with continued exchanges of strikes in recent days.

Article and image source: kenyastar.com