Shipping Companies Prohibited from Deploying Indian Sailors Through Hormuz

The Directorate General of Marine Shipping (DGMA) has issued a binding advisory that bars shipping companies, ship managers and RPSL agencies from placing Indian seafarers on vessels that will cross the Hormuz Strait.

Citing a surge in hostile actions against commercial ships – including attacks on the Mombasa B, Al Bahya, GFS Galaxy, MT Vedayan and Al Rekayyat – the DGMA emphasized the urgent need to safeguard Indian nationals working in the high‑risk maritime corridor.

All captains navigating the Persian Gulf, Hormuz Strait and nearby sea routes must maintain elevated security readiness, stay updated on maritime alerts, and ensure strict compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code’s ship security plans.

Until further orders are released, the advisory makes clear that no Indian crew member should be assigned to any passage involving the Hormuz Strait. In case of emergencies, crews are to contact the DG Communication Centre (MMDAC) or the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC‑IOR) without hesitation.

The directive arrives amid heightened regional tension following recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military facilities, raising the specter of broader conflict and potential interruptions to the critical flow of maritime commerce through the strategic Hormuz channel.