Safety of Indian Seafarers in the Middle East: Latest Updates

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Middle East are safe, with no reported incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels. Currently, 22 vessels are operating in the Persian Gulf, and the DG Shipping control room is actively monitoring the situation. Additionally, air travel between India and the Middle East is improving, with more flights being introduced. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current maritime and aviation status in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 18, 2026, 20:53 IST

Current Status of Indian Seafarers

New Delhi: The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed on Wednesday that all Indian seafarers currently in the Middle East are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged ships reported in the last 24 hours.

Currently, there are 22 Indian-flagged vessels operating in the western Persian Gulf, manned by 611 Indian seafarers. The Directorate General of Shipping is actively monitoring the situation in collaboration with ship owners, RPSL agencies, and Indian diplomatic missions.

The LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, which recently returned from the Middle East, are now unloading their cargo as scheduled by the oil handling companies.

The DG Shipping control room is functioning around the clock, having received 3,305 calls and 6,324 emails since its activation, including 125 calls and 449 emails in the last day. So far, over 472 Indian seafarers have been safely repatriated, with 25 returning in the last 24 hours from various airports and regional locations.

India's maritime operations are running smoothly, with no congestion reported at ports. State Maritime Boards, including those in Gujarat and Maharashtra, have confirmed this status.

Ports are diligently monitoring vessel movements and cargo operations, maintaining sufficient spare capacity. For instance, the Visakhapatnam Port Authority has created an additional 2,260 square meters of storage space. At JNPA, the number of stranded containers has decreased from approximately 1,000 to around 770.

The Ministry continues to oversee shipping activities, port operations, the safety of seafarers, and the continuity of maritime trade in light of the changing situation in West Asia.

In terms of air travel, operations are gradually improving, with more flights being added between India and the Middle East. On March 17, around 70 flights were conducted, with about 75 expected today to various Indian destinations. Since March 5, over 50 flights have been operating daily, reflecting enhanced connectivity.

Flights from Saudi Arabia and Oman to India are ongoing, while Qatar's airspace remains partially open, with five flights operating on Tuesday and services to nine Indian destinations starting Wednesday.

However, Kuwait's airspace has been closed since February 28, although special non-scheduled flights by Jazeera Airways are anticipated from Al Qaisumah Airport in Saudi Arabia.