NEW DELHI: India has ordered shipowners, ship managers and recruitment firms to not deploy the nation’s seafarers on vessels enterprise journeys via the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed preventing within the area.
India is the world’s third-largest provider of seafarers, with greater than 300,000 sailors working throughout world transport fleets, in line with authorities knowledge.
“No deployment of Indian seafarers on vessels enterprise voyages involving passage via the Strait of Hormuz till additional orders,” the Directorate Common of Delivery mentioned in an order issued late Wednesday.
Two Indian seafarers have been killed in attacks on vessels within the area during the last three days, as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Latest assaults on vessels have elevated the dangers confronted by seafarers and industrial ships working within the conflict-affected space “considerably”, the transport regulator mentioned.
“In view of the heightened safety scenario within the Persian Gulf area … the Directorate considers it essential to undertake enhanced precautionary measures to safeguard the pursuits of Indian seafarers serving on board ships working within the area,” the order mentioned.
It additionally directed masters of the vessels to make sure that they’re sufficiently vigilant concerning the safety scenario within the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, and referred to as for steady monitoring of navigational warnings.
New Delhi additionally lodged a powerful protest with Iran, summoning its deputy ambassador over one of many deaths on Tuesday.
