Following attacks on two commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a high-level inter-ministerial review and ordered a seafarer-first, whole-of-government response. The measures include real-time monitoring of every vessel in the affected Gulf region, dedicated liaison officers for each affected Indian seafarer, and round-the-clock coordination among the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, other ministries, the Indian Navy, the Directorate General of Shipping, and Indian missions in Iran and Oman. The two attacked vessels, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, had 46 crew members in total, including 30 Indians. One Indian seafarer died and another was injured on MT Al Bahiyah. Nine Indian nationals were injured on MT Mombasa, two of them seriously. The Directorate General of Shipping was instructed to build an operational dashboard covering every Indian aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, irrespective of the vessel's flag. It will track vessel position, ownership, cargo, crew strength and welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call and available facilities. Each liaison officer will be the single contact for a family and coordinate medical updates, travel documents, assistance, repatriation, welfare-fund support, unpaid wages, contractual entitlements and compensation. Authorities must work with Indian missions, including those in Iran, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, for verified updates and emergency support. Vessel movement from the affected region must follow a fresh threat assessment, the master's professional judgement and coordination with competent maritime authorities. A 24x7 support system has also been activated for grievances.
Government orders real-time monitoring and dedicated liaison officers for Indian seafarers in West Asia
The government has ordered vessel-level monitoring and individual liaison support for Indian seafarers after attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa in the Strait of Hormuz. The response combines inter-ministerial coordination, family assistance, verified regional updates and tighter safety checks on vessel movement.
Key facts
- Real-time monitoring was ordered for vessels carrying Indians in the affected Gulf region, irrespective of flag.
- A dedicated liaison officer will serve as the single contact for each affected Indian seafarer's family.
- The two attacked vessels had 46 crew members, including 30 Indians.
- One Indian died and another was injured on MT Al Bahiyah; nine Indians were injured on MT Mombasa, two seriously.
- Movement from the affected region requires a fresh threat assessment, the master's professional judgement and coordination with competent maritime authorities.
Practice MCQ from this story
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Consider the following statements about the monitoring mechanism ordered for Indian seafarers: 1. The Directorate General of Shipping is to build a dashboard covering every Indian aboard vessels in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, irrespective of vessel flag. 2. The dashboard will be restricted to vessel position and ownership and will exclude crew welfare and intended-voyage details. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement 1 is correct: the ordered dashboard covers every Indian on vessels across the three named waters regardless of flag. Statement 2 is incorrect because the dashboard will also include crew strength and welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call and available facilities.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
Why was the inter-ministerial review held?
It followed attacks on MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa in the Strait of Hormuz and reviewed the changing security situation facing Indian seafarers.
What will the operational dashboard track?
It will track vessel position, ownership, cargo, crew strength and welfare, threat assessment, intended voyage, next port of call and available facilities.
What is the role of a dedicated liaison officer?
The officer will be the family's single contact and coordinate medical updates, travel documents, assistance, repatriation, welfare-fund support, dues, contractual entitlements and compensation.
What condition applies to vessel movement from the affected region?
Movement must follow a fresh threat assessment, the master's professional judgement and close coordination with competent maritime authorities.
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