In response to recent attacks on commercial ships in conflict-ridden West Asia, Indian Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has mandated the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) to create a detailed operational dashboard for tracking vessels with Indian crew members. This initiative aims to monitor ships in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, ensuring real-time updates on their positions, ownership, cargo, crew welfare, and other critical factors.
The directive follows incidents involving two foreign-flagged vessels that had 30 Indian seafarers onboard. An official stated that every Indian seafarer must be accounted for in this volatile region. To facilitate this, a liaison officer will be appointed to assist affected seafarers and serve as a point of contact for their families, coordinating medical updates, repatriation, and welfare support.
Sonowal recently chaired a high-level inter-ministerial meeting to assess the security situation and risks facing Indian seafarers. The meeting involved officials from various ministries and Indian missions in Oman and Iran, focusing on emergency response strategies and navigational safety.
Currently, seven Indian-flagged vessels with 148 Indian seafarers are operating west of the Strait of Hormuz. The minister has instructed officials to collaborate with Indian missions and other regional authorities to gather verified information on navigational safety and emergency procedures.
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