The Directorate General of Shipping confirmed that 37 vessels are currently stuck across the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and surrounding waters.
The Indian maritime sector is on high alert as the sudden closure of the Strait of Hormuz has left 37 Indian-flagged ships and more than 1,100 seafarers stranded in one of the world’s most volatile corridors.
The shutdown has been triggered by escalating military strikes between a US-Israeli coalition and Iran. The Strait of Hormuz has effectively severed as the primary platform for India’s energy imports.
The Directorate General of Shipping confirmed that 37 vessels are currently stuck across the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and surrounding waters. These ships are not just carrying cargo; they are carrying the backbone of India’s energy supply, ranging from crude oil and LNG to refined petroleum products.
While the mechanical or economic loss is significant, the human cost is already being felt. The reports have confirmed that three Indian sailors serving on foreign-flagged vessels were killed in recent hostilities, with another injured.
Government and Navy on High Alert
In response to the deteriorating security environment, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held an emergency review on Tuesday. The government’s priority has shifted entirely to the safety of the 1,109 sailors currently in the line of fire.
The Ministry has rolled out a series of emergency measures:
- A Quick Response Team (QRT): This unit has been set up to coordinate between the Navy, the Ministry of External Affairs, and families back home.
- Risk Assessments: Shipping companies have been told to pause and reassess every single voyage. With reports of drone activity, missile strikes, and electronic interference, the “business as usual” approach has been scrapped.
- Family Support: Helpline numbers have been activated for the families of those onboard, providing a direct link to the Recruitment and Placement Service Licensees (RPSLs).
Following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, American and Israeli airstrikes have continued to pound targets across Iran. In a massive retaliatory move, Iran and its allies have targeted shipping lanes and energy infrastructure, bringing global trade in the region to a virtual standstill.
