The Mission to Seafarers welcomed the recent agreement regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with Secretary General Peter Rouch highlighting its potential for regional stability. However, he cautioned that the impacts of ongoing conflict will affect seafarers and their families long-term, emphasizing the need for improved welfare measures and safety protocols.
Over 562 Indian sailors have been stranded for 107 days on 13 vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman due to rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. The situation has led to uncertainty at sea, with ongoing efforts to address crew welfare and individual vessel incidents.
The recent spike in attacks on ships and seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz has been strongly condemned by key maritime organizations. Citing 46 incidents and 14 deaths since February 2026, they stress urgent respect for international law, immediate protection for seafarers, and de-escalation to ensure maritime security and free navigation.
An Indian national, 35-year-old Nishanth Uirthanathan, passed away due to medical complications aboard the MT Celestial at Duqm Port, Oman. The Indian embassy in Muscat confirmed arrangements for repatriation of his remains. This incident follows the recent deaths of three Indian seafarers in a U.S. strike, raising political concerns.
India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, led by Mukesh Mangal, is prepared to bolster seafarer repatriation from West Asia as needed. With 562 Indian seafarers currently aboard 13 vessels and recent maritime security incidents raising concerns, the Ministry has already facilitated the safe return of over 3,537 seafarers.
A tragic incident involving the Palau-flagged MT Settebello has claimed the lives of three Indian seafarers, whose bodies have now been identified. Sarbananda Sonowal expressed heartfelt condolences, highlighting the profound loss for the maritime community. This incident underscores the inherent risks of sea travel and the sacrifices made by seafarers.
All 20 Indian crew members of the tanker MT Jalveer were safely evacuated after U.S. forces disabled the vessel during a blockade enforcement operation in the Gulf of Oman. This incident, the third involving Indian seafarers in a week, raises significant concerns over their safety amid escalating maritime tensions.
A group of young men, including four from Andhra Pradesh, has been stranded on the Iranian coast for months due to their cargo vessel being immobilized. With inadequate support from the ship’s management, the 13 crew members face severe hardships, including food shortages and lack of electricity. Families urge government intervention.
The family of Aditya Sharma, a 23-year-old Indian seafarer who tragically died during an alleged U.S. attack on the MT Settebello, is demanding a thorough investigation. While 21 crew members were rescued, his family’s grief is compounded by concerns over the vessel’s command decisions and working conditions, prompting urgent calls for accountability.
The Kerala High Court has allowed three foreign crew members from the sunken cargo vessel MSC ELSA-3 to leave India after over a year, subject to conditions. Four others must remain until their examination is complete. The Liberia-flagged ship’s sinking off Kochi sparked multiple investigations and environmental concerns.
Four Indian sailors stranded for ten months on the Mongolia-flagged AZRA C off Turkey’s coast have finally been rescued. The ship, docked near Istanbul since August 2025, was abandoned after its owners were arrested. Conditions deteriorated, prompting the ITF to provide essential supplies during their ordeal. Legal actions are ongoing.
The UK government is enhancing legal protections for seafarers, introducing a national minimum wage for those in domestic waters. Proposed legislation includes minimum rest periods and fair compensation for regular routes. David Hammond of Human Rights at Sea supports these measures, emphasizing health and mental well-being as fundamental rights.
Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) supports the UK government’s initiatives to enhance seafarers’ legal protections, including a national minimum wage and regulations for rest periods. This legislation aims to improve conditions on routes between the UK, France, and the Channel Islands, emphasizing health and well-being as fundamental human rights.
Four Indian sailors, stranded for ten months on the abandoned AZRA C off Turkey, have been rescued, confirmed by the ITF. The crew faced worsening conditions after the ship’s owners were arrested during a drug bust. This incident highlights the alarming rise in global seafarer abandonment, particularly affecting Indian nationals.
The Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) has set a one-week deadline for seafarers, shipowners, and vessel operators to ensure their medical fitness certificates are valid. Inspections will confirm compliance, safeguarding the welfare of crews and vessels. Non-compliance may lead to penalties, including vessel detention. Renewals are due by June 8.
