New Delhi: The Centre has ordered real-time monitoring of Indian seafarers working on vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman following recent attacks on merchant ships that left one Indian sailor dead and several injured.
Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal directed the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to create a vessel-wise operational dashboard to track every Indian crew member, regardless of the ship’s flag.
The system will provide details on vessel location, ownership, cargo, crew strength, welfare status, threat assessment, voyage plans and port information.
The move follows attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa in the Strait of Hormuz. The two vessels carried 30 Indian seafarers among a combined crew of 46.
One Indian sailor was killed and another injured on MT Al Bahiyah, while nine Indians were injured on MT Mombasa.
Sonowal announced a “Seafarer-First” response, including dedicated liaison officers for affected families to coordinate medical assistance, repatriation, compensation and other support. He also ordered round-the-clock coordination among the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian Navy, DGS and Indian missions in the region.
The minister directed vessels to undertake fresh threat assessments before sailing and asked shipowners to ensure no Indian seafarer is forced to operate without proper safety measures and information.
