India Bars Indian Seafarers from Hormuz Strait Voyages Over Security Fears
The Indian government has issued an advisory directing shipping companies to avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels that travel through the Strait of Hormuz, citing heightened security concerns in the Gulf region.
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, released a circular on Wednesday urging ship owners, ship managers, and recruitment and placement service licensees to refrain from assigning Indian seafarers to ships passing through the strategic waterway until further notice.
“In view of the heightened security situation in the Gulf region, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), through DGMA Circular No. 36 of 2026, has directed Ship Owners, Ship Managers and RPSL Companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders,” the Directorate General of Shipping said in a statement.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, is a critical chokepoint for global oil and gas shipments. Tensions in the region have escalated in recent months due to geopolitical conflicts and maritime security threats. The advisory aims to protect Indian seafarers from potential risks, though no specific incident was cited.
India is a major supplier of maritime manpower, with over 250,000 Indian seafarers employed globally. The directive may affect crew scheduling and shipping operations for vessels transiting the strait, but it underscores New Delhi's commitment to seafarer safety.
