Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 29: There are currently 163 Indian seafarers aboard 12 commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said six of the vessels are Indian-flagged commercial ships, while six foreign-flagged vessels are carrying cargo to India.
"At this point in time, we have six India-flag commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait of Hormuz. We also have six foreign-flagged vessels which are carrying cargo to India. So, 12 ships are there. On these ships, we have around 163 Indian seafarers who are on board," Jaiswal said during a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi.
He said more than 4,500 Indian seafarers were also aboard various commercial vessels operating in the wider area.
"The Ministry of Shipping continues to monitor the movement of these ships and is looking at the well-being of all these seafarers and, as and when required, through our embassies and other stakeholders, they do the needful for their well-being and welfare. On our side, we remain committed to the safety and well-being of our seafaring community abroad," Jaiswal said.
Since the beginning of the West Asia conflict earlier this year, India has condemned attacks and acts of violence targeting seafarers and disrupting safe navigation through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz, while calling for a return to dialogue and diplomacy in the interests of peace, security and stability in the region.
On September 25, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the issue during the inaugural meeting of the 'Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers' (GoF on S4) in New York.
Jaishankar said India, as a major source of seafarers, and Liberia, as the world's largest shipping registry, had come together to highlight the safety and security of shipping and seafarers.
"Just two days ago, an Antigua and Barbuda flagged bulk carrier MV CAPE DAO was attacked in the Gulf of Oman. An Indian sailor lost his life. Ten days before that, a Panama flagged oil tanker EL GAIA was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. An Indian crew member went missing after that incident. These regrettably are no longer exceptional occurrences. In the last few months, commercial shipping and mariners have been subjected to repeated attacks in the Gulf, the Red Sea and its vicinity," Jaishankar said.
He also referred to attacks in the Black Sea, saying the MV OMORFI was hit in Russian territorial waters on July 18 and its Indian chief officer was killed. The following day, the MV GOLDEN LEO was struck after leaving Odesa, resulting in the deaths of four Indian seafarers, he said.
India urged the international community to not only highlight the growing attacks on commercial and civilian shipping from the Black Sea to the Red Sea and the Gulf, but also work together to deter such incidents.
"The world witnesses international trade worth more than a USD 140 billion a day. Oceans support more than 80 per cent of those activities. Our supply chains are deeply interconnected and securing the maritime commons is therefore crucial. Nearly 2 million seafarers operate the world's merchant fleets, often navigating choppy waters, both literally and metaphorically," Jaishankar said.
He said recent global developments had highlighted threats to seafarers, including prolonged confinement aboard vessels, delayed crew changes and repatriation, separation from families, psychological distress and lethal attacks.
Jaishankar also said India had raised the issue during the recent BRICS Summit in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed establishing a Seafarers Emergency Support Network.
The proposed network would connect maritime authorities and embassies of concerned countries and facilitate distress alerts, medical assistance, communication with families and support for evacuation when required.
He further recalled India's efforts at the United Nations, saying India had co-organised an Arria Formula meeting with Greece and the Philippines in November last year on 'Maritime Safety and Security: Protection of Seafarers'.
India also participated in the High-Level Open Debate on 'The Safety and Protection of Waterways in the Maritime Domain' held in April 2026.
"It is against this backdrop that India and Liberia joined hands to propose the idea of establishing a Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers," Jaishankar said.