India orders shipping firms to stop deploying seafarers through Strait of Hormuz amid Iran-US conflict

The Indian government has directed shipping companies to stop deploying Indian seafarers on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, citing the worsening security situation in the Gulf region.

The order was issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) under Circular No. 36 of 2026 and applies to Indian and foreign ship owners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) companies.

"In view of the heightened security situation in the Gulf region, the DGMA has directed Ship Owners, Ship Managers and RPSL Companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders," the regulator said in its notification.

Decision follows attacks on merchant vessels

The directive comes after a series of attacks on commercial ships operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz amid escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran.

More from India

The government said the move was aimed at protecting Indian seafarers as the security situation in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes continues to worsen.

According to official data, India is the world's third-largest supplier of seafarers, with more than 300,000 Indians employed across the global merchant shipping industry.

Indian seafarers among casualties

The government's decision follows recent attacks in which Indian crew members were killed or injured.

Among the incidents cited were missile strikes on the oil tankers Mombasa B and Al Bahyah, in which one Indian sailor was killed and several others were injured.

In another attack on the container vessel GFS Galaxy, an Indian crew member remains missing and is presumed dead.

Government figures show that since the conflict intensified earlier this year, 13 to 14 Indian seafarers have been killed, while three remain missing. Authorities have also facilitated the evacuation of 3,918 seafarers from the conflict zone.

Advisory for ships already in the region

The DGMA has also issued fresh operational guidance for ships currently sailing through the high-risk area.

Ship masters have been instructed to maintain the highest level of security, comply with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, and take all necessary precautions based on the evolving threat environment.

The advisory refers to several merchant vessels that have recently come under attack, including Mombasa B, Al Bahyah, GFS Galaxy, MT Wedyan and Al Rekayyat.

Government prepares for possible evacuations

The government has placed the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), operated by the Indian Navy, on standby to assist Indian-flagged vessels and coordinate emergency support if required.

Officials are also monitoring the situation of Indian crew members currently serving on ships operating in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Concerns over global shipping

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important maritime trade routes, carrying a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

Industry experts have warned that restricting the deployment of Indian seafarers on ships using the route could worsen global crew shortages and increase shipping and insurance costs.

However, the Indian government has said the safety of Indian nationals will remain its top priority as tensions in the Gulf continue to escalate.