India’s Directorate General of Shipping has issued an advisory to all stakeholders related to the maritime sector regarding maritime security amid the ongoing tension in West Asia. The Directorate General has said that it is closely monitoring the rapidly changing security situation in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and surrounding maritime areas. In the advisory, ship operators, management companies and captains have been instructed to maintain a high level of vigilance. All operators have been asked to conduct route-specific risk assessments before each voyage and immediately report any suspicious activity to the concerned authority. The Directorate General also said that so far four such incidents have been reported, in which Indian seafarers have been affected. All these incidents occurred on foreign-flagged ships. Three Indian sailors have died in these incidents, while one has been injured. DG Shipping has clarified that the situation remains sensitive and maritime safety protocols are required to be strictly followed.
