Thirty-eight Indian-flagged ships remain stranded in the Persian Gulf amid rising tensions, with three sailors reported killed in recent attacks on foreign vessels.
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI – A total of thirty-eight Indian-flagged ships, carrying crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG), are currently stranded in the Persian Gulf, according to officials on March 3. These vessels are manned by nearly 1,100 seafarers and are caught in the midst of escalating tensions in West Asia.
Of the stranded ships, 24 are located west of the Strait of Hormuz, while 14 are positioned to the east. Despite the precarious situation, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has reported no confirmed incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels themselves.
However, there have been four reported incidents involving Indian sailors working on foreign-flagged ships in the vicinity of Oman’s port area. These incidents have tragically resulted in the deaths of three sailors and left one other injured, as noted by DG Shipping.
The Indian government is particularly concerned about the safety of its seafarers, with approximately 23,000 Indian nationals operating in the conflict-affected region at any given time. India ranks as the third-largest supplier of seafarers globally, following the Philippines and China.
The ongoing conflict has significantly disrupted maritime trade routes. Several container shipping lines have opted to suspend their services to the Middle East, instead rerouting their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, which adds considerable travel time and operational costs.
Port authorities have indicated that around 1,000 containers are currently stuck at Indian ports. In response, shipping companies and port officials are working together to manage loading and unloading schedules effectively.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, the safety of seafarers and the smooth operation of maritime trade remain critical concerns for the Indian government and the global shipping industry, according to India-West.