Parents of four Indian seafarers stranded on the DIVA near Basra, Iraq, are pleading with the government for urgent repatriation. The Forward Seamen’s Union of India has contacted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the need for immediate evacuation due to the vessel’s proximity to active bombardment zones.
The Indian government assured that fuel supplies remain stable amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials confirmed refineries are operating at full capacity, with no shortages in petrol or diesel. Domestic LPG production has surged by 40%, alleviating panic. Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf are reported safe.
On March 8, 2026, the Indian Coast Guard vessel Anagh evacuated nine fishermen off Tamil Nadu after their boat, St Joseph, collided with the Vietnam-flagged MS Solis. Rescued from turbulent waters, the fishermen were taken to Vizhinjam harbour for urgent medical attention, with two suffering serious injuries and two still missing.
Mano Maritime is organizing two special cruise voyages to repatriate Israeli citizens stranded in Cyprus, using the luxury cruise ship Crown Iris. Each round trip will take about 15 hours, with tickets priced between €399 and €650. Enhanced security measures will ensure a safe return amid the ongoing regional tensions.
Zodiac Maritime has launched an emergency response after a fire broke out on its car carrier, Morning Midas, in the Pacific Ocean. All 22 crew members were safely evacuated. The vessel, carrying 3,000 vehicles, encountered smoke on a deck for electric cars, prompting immediate action to control the blaze.
A 32-year-old Indian seafarer was evacuated from a container vessel off Durban due to a serious medical condition. The National Sea Rescue Institute coordinated the rescue, transferring the patient to their craft using a Stokes basket stretcher. He was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition, expected to recover fully.
Germany’s rescue authorities successfully evacuated the crew and controlled a fire on a bunker vessel near Warnemunde. The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service used their vessel, Wilma Sikorski, to rescue the seven crew members. The Annika, a bunker vessel, caught fire in the Bay of Mecklenburg, causing concerns about potential environmental hazards.
A container fire containing highly toxic yellow phosphorus at the Port of Antwerp prompted evacuations and a 12-hour halt in operations. The MPET terminal, DP World facility, and a ship were evacuated, with vessel traffic temporarily halted. Emergency services, along with BASF and port authorities, worked to secure the container. Operations resumed after the container was relocated to a safe area.
