Safety of Indian Seafarers in the Persian Gulf Confirmed
Overview of Current Situation
A File Image of LPG Tanker Nanda Devi ( Photo: @DeshGujarat/X)
New Delhi, Apr 6: All Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf are reported safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged ships occurring in the last day, as stated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
The Ministry has confirmed that there are currently 17 Indian-flagged vessels with a total of 460 Indian seafarers navigating the western Persian Gulf.
In collaboration with ship owners, recruitment agencies, and Indian diplomatic missions, the Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring the situation.
The Ministry is vigilant regarding shipping activities, port operations, and the safety of Indian crews, ensuring that maritime trade remains uninterrupted.
A 24/7 control room established by the Directorate General of Shipping has managed 5,088 calls and 10,547 emails since its inception, receiving 73 calls and 122 emails in the last 24 hours alone.
Authorities have successfully facilitated the safe return of over 1,479 Indian seafarers, including 159 in the past day from various locations in the Persian Gulf.
Port operations across India are functioning normally, with no reports of congestion from the State Maritime Boards of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry.
The Ministry is actively coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and other maritime stakeholders to ensure the welfare of seafarers and the continuity of operations.
Additionally, the Ministry of External Affairs has indicated that Indian missions in the region are maintaining constant communication with the Indian community, providing advisories and assistance as needed.
On Saturday, 345 Indian fishermen who were stranded in Iran successfully returned home, with the Indian Embassy in Tehran facilitating their travel from southern Iran to Armenia, where they boarded flights to Chennai.
The overall evacuation and travel situation from the Gulf region is improving, with approximately 90 non-scheduled flights from the United Arab Emirates expected to arrive in India on Sunday, while services from Saudi Arabia and Oman are ongoing.
Qatar's airspace has partially reopened, with 8 to 10 flights anticipated, although airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain remains closed, leading to rerouted flights via Dammam in Saudi Arabia.
Travel from Iran is being organized through Armenia and Azerbaijan, while routes from Israel and Iraq are operating through neighboring countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
In a separate incident, the remains of an Indian seafarer who lost his life in an attack on a vessel off the coast of Oman have been repatriated, with authorities providing support to the grieving family.
The government continues to monitor the evolving circumstances in the Gulf and West Asia, prioritizing the safety and welfare of Indian nationals.