Avoid deploying Indian sailors on Strait of Hormuz vessels: DGMA

DGMA issues urgent advisory for Indian seafarers

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGMA) has asked Indian shipping companies to avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels that sail through the Strait of Hormuz. The advisory, issued on Thursday, comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia and repeated attacks on commercial shipping in the region.

Sources in the shipping ministry told TIVRA News that the directive is preventive. Companies have been told to reroute vessels or use alternative crew arrangements until the situation stabilises.

Attack on tanker near Oman raises alarm

The British military reported an attack on a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz close to Oman earlier this week. No group has claimed responsibility, but the incident has heightened fears of a broader conflict spilling into critical shipping lanes.

The Strait of Hormuz is a chokepoint for global oil and gas supplies. Nearly 20 million barrels of crude pass through it daily. Any disruption here has immediate ripple effects on energy markets and maritime insurance costs.

Indian crew member killed in Iranian strikes

Reports from ThePrint and other outlets confirmed that an Indian crew member was killed in Iranian strikes on UAE shipping tankers in the Strait. The deceased sailor was part of a multinational crew on a tanker hit by what officials described as a drone or missile.

The attack marks the first Indian fatality in the current escalation. The Ministry of External Affairs has not yet issued a formal statement, but sources said the government is in touch with the family and the shipping company.

India has around 2.5 lakh seafarers working on international vessels. A significant number operate in Gulf waters and the Arabian Sea. The DGMA advisory is meant to prevent further casualties.

Shipping companies scramble to comply

Major Indian shipping firms have started reviewing crew deployment schedules. Several have already instructed vessels to avoid the Strait and instead take the longer route around the Cape of Good Hope.

Industry insiders said the alternative route adds 10 to 15 days to voyages and increases fuel and operational costs. But safety of crew is now the top priority, one executive told TIVRA News on condition of anonymity.

The advisory is not a ban but a strong recommendation. Companies that ignore it could face legal and insurance complications if an incident occurs.

The West Asia crisis has been brewing for months. What began as a diplomatic standoff between Iran and Gulf states has turned into a series of direct military exchanges. Commercial shipping has become a soft target, with both state and non-state actors using missiles and drones against vessels.

The United Nations and maritime bodies have called for de-escalation, but no ceasefire is in sight. The International Maritime Organization is expected to hold an emergency meeting next week.

What to watch

The next few days will show whether more countries follow India's lead and issue similar advisories for their seafarers. The fate of Indian crew already stationed in the region also remains uncertain, with no clear timeline for when they can be rotated out safely.