India is considering stronger safeguards for domestic crew who fall victim to hijackings by pirates.
New rules could be introduced this year that will require foreign shipping companies to hand over a guarantee of up to INR 2m ($29,000) for every crewman recruited.
The cash will be able to be accessed by the government in case of a hijacking, with the money going towards a ransom.
Owners will also be forced to pay wages of crew in captivity, plus the cost of repatriation on release.
The Economic Times said 500 Indian men had been captured by pirates over the last eight years.
"Seafarers cannot be left in the lurch," a shipping ministry official told the newspaper.
