DG Shipping advised recruitment agencies to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas

NEW DELHI: India’s maritime regulator DG Shipping has advised recruitment and placement agencies to “restrict the deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas until further orders”.

It has, however, said companies may carry out crew change in emergency situations with consent of crew members.This comes amid recent security incidents involving merchant ships carrying Indian seafarers, including attacks on three such foreign-flagged ships in the Gulf of Oman, which claimed three Indian lives in a ship.In the “security advisory”, DG Shipping has directed vessels operating in or transiting through the Gulf region, including Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, to maintain heightened security vigilance amid escalating risks in the region.The circular noted that incidents involving MT Marivex, MT Settebello and MV Jalveer have highlighted increasing risks faced by commercial ships operating in the war-hit region.The regulator has advised masters of vessels operating in or passing through the area to maintain heightened security awareness, closely monitor navigational warnings and advisories issued by security agencies, and implement all applicable ship security measures and company security procedures.The advisory has also asked maritime companies and stakeholders to exercise the highest degree of vigilance and caution while operating in conflict zones.