Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 26: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals to carefully evaluate the security situation before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in or passing through the Black Sea region, citing a sharp rise in attacks on merchant ships.
The MEA said the security environment in the Black Sea and surrounding maritime areas remains highly volatile because of the ongoing conflict, exposing commercial vessels to serious threats, including missile and drone strikes.
According to the ministry, attacks on merchant ships have increased significantly since April 2026, resulting in the deaths of five Indian nationals.
The advisory urged Indian seafarers who still choose to work on vessels in the region to exercise extreme caution and seek detailed information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators before signing employment contracts.
The ministry advised prospective crew members to verify the ship's intended route, ports of call, onboard security measures, insurance coverage and emergency response protocols before embarking on their assignments.
The MEA also stressed that employment contracts should comply with international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical treatment, emergency evacuation, repatriation and compensation in case of accidents or attacks.
Indian nationals have also been advised to keep their families informed about their travel plans, maintain regular communication and closely follow safety advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and other relevant Indian authorities. The ministry specifically referred seafarers to the maritime security advisory issued by the Directorate General on July 23, 2026.
The advisory follows a series of deadly attacks involving commercial vessels carrying Indian crew members.
On Friday, the MEA confirmed that one Indian sailor was killed when the commercial vessel MV OMORFI came under attack while transiting the Black Sea on July 18, reportedly in Russian territorial waters.
The ministry said the ship had a crew of 10, including three Indian nationals. While one crew member lost his life, the remaining two Indian nationals were reported to be safe.
Following the incident, the Indian Embassy in Russia contacted the relevant authorities and has been extending all possible assistance to the deceased sailor's family.
The MEA strongly condemned attacks on commercial shipping, stating that targeting civilian vessels and endangering innocent crew members is unacceptable.
It also expressed concern over growing threats to freedom of navigation and international trade, urging all parties involved in the conflict to honour their international obligations and ensure the safety of maritime routes and uninterrupted global commerce.
Earlier this week, four other Indian nationals were killed in a separate attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leopard, which had departed from Odesa in Ukraine, highlighting the escalating risks faced by merchant ships operating in the Black Sea region.