The Indian government is examining ways to assist Indian-flagged ships stranded near the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalate between the US-Israel and Iran. Maritime authorities have directed vessels in the region to follow stricter safety procedures, including more frequent communication with reporting authorities.
According to PC Meena, deputy director general (crew) at the Directorate General of Shipping and head of the government’s crisis monitoring, 36 Indian-flagged vessels are currently positioned in and around the strait and nearby waters. All crews are safe and adequately supplied, but none of the ships has been able to pass through the area because of the ongoing security concerns.
"Discussions are on at the highest level on various options to help them navigate out of the region safely including the option to escort India-flagged assets out of the area. Nothing has been finalised so far,” Meena said, as quoted by a Hindustan Times report.
The situation has worsened after Iranian forces warned they could target oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow channel responsible for transporting roughly a quarter of global seaborne crude oil. The threats have slowed maritime traffic through the passage.
A core response group set up by the government has been instructed to submit updates every three hours, according to an order issued by the shipping ministry.
An official cited by HT said there have so far been no confirmed cases involving Indian-flagged ships being attacked, detained, or boarded as authorities continue close efforts to ensure vessels and crew remain secure.
The security guidelines apply not only to ships near the Strait of Hormuz but also to those operating across the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and surrounding maritime zones, as mentioned in a notification issued by the Directorate General of Shipping.
Protocols For Indian Ships
-Under protocols that came into force between February 28 and March 1, Indian vessels must conduct ship-shore security exercises in accordance with rules set by the International Maritime Organisation. These drills include communication checks with nearby port terminals and practice responses to threats such as piracy attempts, unauthorised boarding, or bomb warnings.
-Indian ship captains are also required to submit daily online reporting forms to the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region. "This measure is critical for maintaining a comprehensive and up-to-date vessel database, which will facilitate easier tracking and coordination at the centre if the Indian Navy is required to respond to the incident,” stated a 2024 notification put out during Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and reinvoked on March 2 states.
-In case an Indian vessel encounters a security threat, the advisory issued on March 2 instructs ships to immediately reach out to the closest Indian Navy or coalition warship through VHF Channel 16 for assistance.