New Delhi, March 6: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has intensified its surveillance and preparedness measures in response to the evolving maritime conditions in West Asia. The primary goal is to ensure the safety of Indian sailors, protect Indian vessels, and maintain uninterrupted maritime trade. A high-level inter-ministerial meeting was convened, chaired by the ministry’s secretary, to review these changing circumstances.
Representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, as well as industry representatives from shipping and organizations like Reliance Industries Limited, the Indian National Shipowners Association, the Container Shipping Line Association, and the Federation of Indian Export Organizations participated in this meeting.
This meeting followed a previous review conducted by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The ministry updated all stakeholders on the steps being taken by the Indian government, particularly the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, in light of the changing conditions in the Middle East. The ministry is actively coordinating with the shipping industry. A 24-hour helpline has been established at the Directorate General of Shipping to provide better support to sailors and facilitate coordination. Additionally, a special monitoring system has been implemented to continuously track the situation. Precautions for the safety of Indian sailors, Indian-flagged vessels, and maritime trade were advised through DG Shipping Circular No. 08 of 2026, issued on February 28, 2026. This circular mandates all Indian-flagged vessels and sailors to adopt enhanced safety measures and strictly adhere to the reporting regulations outlined in DG Shipping Circular No. 08 of 2024.
Furthermore, a crew safety advisory was issued via DG Shipping Circular No. 09 of 2026 on the same date. This advisory provides essential instructions for Indian sailors and shipping stakeholders, including registering with the Indian Embassy in Tehran and submitting complete crew information to the Directorate. Currently, all Indian-flagged vessels are secure, and there have been no confirmed reports of any Indian-flagged vessel being stopped, boarded, or involved in incidents. A total of 35 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf region (24 west of the Hormuz Strait and 11 east, along with three vessels in the Gulf of Aden) are being tracked hourly through the LRIT National Data Center, with regular status reports being issued.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the Directorate General of Shipping, major Indian ports, maritime authorities, and other relevant agencies. Enhanced monitoring and reporting systems have also been established for foreign-flagged vessels carrying Indian sailors. This ensures timely updates on the situation and facilitates necessary preparations. Shipping companies, vessel operators, and recruitment and placement service licensees have been advised to exercise utmost caution when sending sailors to sensitive areas. They are encouraged to assess risks before travel and maintain regular communication with sailors and their families. A special coordination mechanism has also been set up to provide immediate assistance to Indian sailors when needed.
The ministry has reviewed the status of vessels and cargo heading to the Gulf Cooperation Council and other destinations in West Asia. Port operations across India are proceeding normally. All ports have been instructed to minimize any difficulties faced by exporters and to assist in maintaining uninterrupted import-export trade. Major ports have taken several practical measures, including continuous monitoring of vessel movements in collaboration with shipping lines and agents, promptly assessing changes in the area, and regularly reporting on the status of vessels and cargo. Where necessary, additional storage space has been arranged, with special attention given to perishable goods and temperature-sensitive items to ensure they are prioritized when needed. The ministry will continue to closely monitor the situation in collaboration with all maritime stakeholders and relevant government ministries to protect Indian maritime interests, ensure the safety of sailors, and facilitate smooth maritime trade and logistics.
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