Seafarers

Two merchant vessels with 22 Indian sailors attacked in Strait of Hormuz

Two merchant vessels with 22 Indian crew members came under attack in Strait of Hormuz triggering a strong condemnation by India. First ship, MT Peteo Dolphin was reportedly struck by a drone on Sunday, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). "We condemn the attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz region on October 11. MT PETRO DOLPHIN was reportedly struck by a drone, with two of the 11 Indian seafarers onboard reported missing," it said. "MT VALTHERA, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, was struck by an unknown projectile, resulting in a fire onboard. All 11 Indian seafarers onboard MT VALTHERA are reported to be safe," it said. The MEA said the Embassy of India in Muscat is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Omani authorities and respective ship management companies for the rescue of missing Indians and to provide all possible assistance to the Indian crew. "The safety and security of Indian seafarers remain a priority for the .

Updated On: 12 Oct 2026 | 2:02 PM IST

India, Liberia condemn attacks on shipping, seafarers in Black Sea, Gulf

India and Liberia have strongly condemned a series of attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea over the past few days, calling for an immediate cessation of such incidents in the interest of peace and regional stability.In a joint statement issued as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers (GoF on S4), the two countries described the attacks as unacceptable and said they disrupted maritime trade and cost innocent lives."India and Liberia, as co-chairs of the Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers (GoF on S4), strongly condemn the string of unacceptable attacks that commercial ships and seafarers have been subjected to in the Gulf and its vicinity, the Black Sea, over the past few days," the joint statement said."These actions that disrupt maritime trade and cost innocent lives are simply indefensible. We call for an immediate cessation of such attacks in the ...

Updated On: 09 Oct 2026 | 7:43 AM IST

78 incidents involving Indian seafarers in Hormuz, 139 sailors in Strait

Shipping Secretary Vijay Kumar said 78 incidents involving Indian seafarers have been reported since the Iran war began, while eight vessels of Indian interest remain in Hormuz

Updated On: 08 Oct 2026 | 10:52 PM IST

Explained: What laws protect Indian seafarers working in conflict zones

Indian seafarers often work on foreign-flagged ships in conflict zones. Here is how Indian and international laws, flag states and government agencies assist them during emergencies

Updated On: 08 Oct 2026 | 5:16 PM IST

PM Modi calls for rules-based maritime order amid rising Hormuz tensions

Modi stresses shared prosperity and responsibility at Sagarmanthan, as the shipping ministry announces an industry coalition for the India-EU Green Shipping Corridor

Updated On: 07 Oct 2026 | 10:21 PM IST

Cargo ship MV Cape Dao hit in Strait of Hormuz, 1 Indian on board killed

A statement by India's External Affairs Ministry said one of the 20 Indian seafarers on board was killed in the attack. It said India's embassy in Oman was in contact with the authorities.

Updated On: 23 Sep 2026 | 11:55 PM IST

Two vessels with Indian crew onboard attacked near Strait of Hormuz

Six Indian-flagged vessels and eight foreign-flagged vessels of Indian interest are currently in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 153 Indian seafarers

Updated On: 18 Sep 2026 | 11:38 AM IST

Hopes fade for 22 missing crew as experts suspect cargo liquefaction

The Panama-flagged bulk carrier sank within about eight minutes with 24 crew aboard; experts say excess moisture in its iron ore fines cargo may have caused liquefaction

Updated On: 24 Aug 2026 | 9:03 PM IST

Sailors weigh safe harbour against risky passage with higher pay

They can disembark before Hormuz, wait for safer assignments or sail on for hefty bonuses

Updated On: 19 Aug 2026 | 11:26 PM IST

India repatriated 4,048 seafarers from Gulf amid West Asia crisis: Sonowal

The government is committed to ensuring the safety of every Indian seafarer and has repatriated 4,048 seafarers from the Gulf region following the West Asia crisis, Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Saturday. Addressing stakeholders at a discussion on the 'Seafarer Security, Safety and Welfare' here, Sonowal also expressed confidence that India would soon become the world's largest supplier of seafarers. The discussion was part of an event to launch an integrated e-governance and digital maritime services platform E-Samudra, hosted by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA). "Our main objective is to ensure the safety of each and every Indian seafarer deployed on ships globally. We have so far repatriated more than 4,048 seafarers. They have been brought back safely, and we have extended help to their families as well," the Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways told the media. According to the ministry, DGMA monitored more than 16,000 calls,

Updated On: 08 Aug 2026 | 8:49 PM IST

Indian-flagged vessel attacked in Red Sea; all 13 Indians rescued

MEA said, "We condemn the attack on the Indian-flagged commercial vessel, MSV Faize Noore Oliya that sank in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen on August 4."

Updated On: 04 Aug 2026 | 11:17 PM IST

India overtakes China as world's second-largest seafarer supplier

The country's share of the global seafaring workforce has more than doubled over the past decade, rising from 5.2 per cent in 2015 to 12.16 per cent in 2026.

Updated On: 29 Jul 2026 | 3:34 PM IST

For Indian seafarers, war zones grow ever deadlier as risks mount

MEA has advised seafarers to assess conflict risks before accepting assignments after the death of 4 Indians on a merchant ship, reports Archis Mohan

Updated On: 26 Jul 2026 | 11:16 PM IST

1 Indian seafarer killed in attack on commercial vessel in Black Sea

An Indian national was killed in an attack on a commercial vessel while it was reportedly transiting Russian territorial waters in the Black Sea on July 18, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. The fresh incident comes to light days after the MEA said four Indians were among 10 killed in an attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Ukraine on July 19. "It has come to our attention that on July 18, the commercial vessel MV OMORFI was attacked while transiting the Black Sea, reportedly in Russian territorial waters. At the time of the incident, there were 10 crew members on board, including three Indian nationals," the MEA said. "As per available information, one Indian national tragically lost his life in the attack. We extend our deepest condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased. The other two Indian nationals on board are reported to be safe," it said in a statement. The MEA said the Indian mission in Russia has reached out to the relevant authoriti

Updated On: 25 Jul 2026 | 12:30 AM IST

LPG tanker with 28 Indian crew members attacked in Iranian waters, all safe

The Indian Embassy in Tehran said all 28 Indian crew members aboard the Mozambique-flagged LPG tanker DISHA are safe after the vessel came under attack in Iranian waters

Updated On: 24 Jul 2026 | 11:46 PM IST

India summons Russian envoy over killing of 4 Indians off Ukrainian coast

India on Tuesday summoned the Russian charge d'affaires (CDA) and lodged a strong protest over the killing of four Indian seafarers aboard a Guinea Bissau-flagged merchant vessel off the coast of Ukraine. Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told the Russian diplomat that the attack on the merchant vessel, which killed Indians, was unacceptable. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia attacked the civilian vessel navigating Ukraine's maritime corridor on Sunday and its crew included citizens of Syria and India. It is the first instance of death of Indian seafarers in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Guinea-Bissau-flagged ship was hit by Russian cruise missiles, the Ukrainian Air Force said. The vessel -- MV Golden Leo -- had 17 crew members, including five Indian nationals, according to the MEA. India condemned the attack and reiterated that targeting commercial shipping and endangering innocent civilian crew members is "deplorable and should be ...

Updated On: 21 Jul 2026 | 10:53 PM IST

Sarbananda Sonowal condoles deaths of 4 Indian seafarers near Ukraine

Shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday said he is deeply anguished by the loss of lives, including of four Indian seafarers, following a missile attack on merchant vessel MV Golden Leo departing Odesa, Ukraine. Sonowal in a post on X said India strongly condemns such attacks that endanger innocent civilian crew members and impede the freedom of navigation and commerce. "Deeply anguished by the tragic loss of lives, including of four brave Indian seafarers, following a missile attack on merchant vessel MV Golden Leo departing Odesa, Ukraine. My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this hour of immense grief," he said. "Our Mission in Ukraine, alongside the DGMA and RPSL, is closely monitoring the situation, conducting necessary verifications and ensuring all assistance is extended to the next of kin, on priority basis. "My prayers are also with the Indian sailor who is injured and currently hospitalised for his swift and full recovery," Sonowal said. Four

Updated On: 21 Jul 2026 | 8:51 PM IST

Shipping regulator bars deployment of Indians in Strait of Hormuz

India's shipping regulator has again barred deployment of Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and asked ships to maintain heightened security vigilance

Updated On: 15 Jul 2026 | 8:55 PM IST

Tracking every Indian seafarer, irrespective of vessel's flag: Sonowal

Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal ordered real-time monitoring of all Indian seafarers and tighter safety measures after attacks on two merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz

Updated On: 14 Jul 2026 | 11:16 PM IST

DG Shipping asks carriers to restrict Indian seafarers deployment in Hormuz

DG Shipping has advised shipping companies to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf region amid escalating security risks and attacks on commercial vessels

Updated On: 15 Jun 2026 | 7:01 AM IST