New Delhi, March 16: The government announced on Monday that a total of 286 Indian sailors have been safely repatriated from the Gulf region, including 33 sailors in the last 48 hours. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has facilitated this safe return.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, since the control room was established, they have received 3,030 phone calls and approximately 5,497 emails from sailors, their families, and maritime stakeholders seeking assistance.
In just the past 48 hours, over 310 calls and 597 emails were received, requesting help and information.
The statement noted, “Major ports across the country are closely monitoring ship movements and cargo operations, providing support to shipping companies and cargo stakeholders. This includes concessions on anchorage, berth rental, and storage fees. Ports are coordinating with customs and other agencies to ensure smooth cargo operations.”
The ministry also confirmed that all Indian sailors in the Gulf region are safe, with no maritime incidents reported involving Indian sailors in the last 24 hours.
Currently, there are 22 Indian-flagged vessels operating in the western part of the Persian Gulf, employing 611 Indian sailors. DG Shipping is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with ship owners, RPSL agencies, and Indian missions.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) has arranged temporary transshipment storage for containers bound for the Middle East. Additionally, a 100% discount has been provided on ground rent and dwell time charges, while a nearly 80% discount on reefer container plug-in charges is available for up to 15 days.
The statement further mentioned, “Currently, there is no congestion at any major port. The number of containers ready for export at JNPA has decreased from approximately 5,600 to around 3,900.”
Moreover, ports are providing safe anchorage for vessels heading towards the Gulf region that are currently unable to transit.
To address operational challenges, an inter-ministerial group has been formed under DG Shipping, including representatives from customs, ports, and other relevant departments.
The ministry stated that it continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, shipping companies, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of Indian sailors and the smooth operation of maritime trade.
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Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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