India’s maritime regulatory authority has reported that 15 Indian seafarers have died and two are still missing due to various maritime security incidents tied to conflicts in West Asia and the Black Sea over the last three months. Speaking at the National Port Security Conference in New Delhi, Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), described the current geopolitical climate as “extremely challenging,” underscoring rising threats to commercial shipping and the safety of seafarers.
Jagannathan noted a concerning increase in maritime security incidents, with 57 reported during this period, indicating a significant decline in the operating environment for merchant vessels. He emphasized that drone and missile attacks on unarmed ships in the Black Sea are becoming more frequent, while incidents of piracy off the coast of Somalia are resurging. Additionally, the Houthi threat in the Red Sea has returned, with over 154 security incidents documented in 2024 alone.
To combat these challenges, the DGMA has been on high alert since late February, enhancing monitoring and coordination efforts to protect Indian seafarers and ships operating in high-risk areas. The agency has implemented improved rescue operations, vessel movement oversight, and security advisories to ensure compliance with Best Management Practices against piracy.
Furthermore, under Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal’s direction, the DGMA has developed a dedicated system to track Indian seafarers navigating hazardous waters, increasing accountability for their safety and timely repatriation. Sonowal highlighted the need to bolster maritime security as India’s presence in global shipping expands, acknowledging the growing responsibility to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests amid rising geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, and piracy that threaten international trade and the welfare of seafarers.
