Security measures span several maritime regions
India said 62 vessels bound for the country had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz by August 3, amid security concerns affecting commercial shipping in the Gulf. The total comprised 23 Indian-flagged ships and 39 vessels registered under foreign flags, according to Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.
In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Sonowal also reported that 4,052 seafarers had been repatriated from the Gulf region. His account was presented to Parliament on August 7, 2026, providing a historical snapshot of the government’s response to the maritime situation at that time.
Sonowal said authorities were revising security guidance as conditions in the Middle East changed. Following renewed attacks on merchant shipping, the Directorate General of Shipping required full implementation of International Ship and Port Facility Security Code measures. It also advised against assigning Indian seafarers to voyages crossing the Gulf region.
The government’s guidance extended beyond Hormuz. An advisory covering Indian-flagged and foreign-flagged vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Black Sea called for heightened caution, security assessments tailored to individual voyages, adherence to applicable directives and immediate notification of incidents. Separate instructions for the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, the southern Red Sea and waters adjoining Yemen asked shipowners and masters to monitor developments continuously and apply additional measures to reduce risk.
Sonowal described a monitoring structure that included a dedicated control room operating around the clock, a live record of vessels and crews, and situation reports produced every 24 hours. Those reports were intended to track ship movements, Indian personnel, incidents and casualties.
Vessels in affected areas submitted details through an online Ship Reporting Form, helping authorities maintain current crew and vessel records. The eNavik Portal provided continuous access to marine-casualty reporting, crisis-management and seafarer-grievance functions. According to the minister, the system could automatically direct incident reports to the appropriate authorities and track responses in real time.
The Directorate General of Shipping’s communication centre coordinated monitoring with the Indian Navy, flag states, coastal authorities, shipping companies, vessel managers and recruitment agencies. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and maritime authorities were also working with the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian missions overseas. Sonowal said evacuation arrangements for stranded seafarers additionally involved the International Maritime Organization, UK Maritime Trade Operations, the MICA Center and coastal states.
The minister said officials maintained contact with affected seafarers’ families. In fatality cases, compensation arrangements included immediate support of Rs 10,00,000 through the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society. Officials said the monitoring arrangements covered vessels, crews, families and coordination with maritime authorities in several jurisdictions.
