India issues guidelines for seafarers to 'avoid' voyages to Strait of Hormuz

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration of India has issued precautionary measures to ensure the safety of Indian Seafarers amid the escalation of the war in the Middle East, according to a notice published on X, formerly Twitter, July 15.

This comes amid multiple attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to a notice from the Ministry of Shipping and Waterways on July 14, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa had a total of Indian Seafarers among the combined crew of 46.

"Ship owners, Ship Managers and RPSL companies are directed to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders," the notice said.

Furthermore, they encouraged heightened security vigilance throughout the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and adjoining waters, and immediate reporting and assistance in case of emergencies.

According to BIMCO's Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, the top 5 seafarer-supplying countries are the Philippines, India, China, the Russian Federation, and Indonesia, representing 56.25% of the workforce.

Amid this, India accounts for 311,936 seafarers.

French carrier CMA CGM planned to recruit 1,000 Indian seafarers by the end of 2025 and hire an additional number in 2026.

Market sources mentioned the low impact of this notice.

"But from what I read, 'Avoid' is the keyword, no ban as such. I don't see anything changing," an India-based carrier source said.

The government has directed the Director General of Shipping to establish a comprehensive operational dashboard to track every Indian, regardless of vessel flag, in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman.

"The dashboard will provide real-time information on vessel position, ownership, cargo, crew strength, crew welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call and the availability of facilities," according to a statement from the ministry.