India has urged its shipping industry to avoid sending seafarers to Iran and Israel because of the threat of seizure and detention.
Indian seafarers made up 17 of the 25-strong crew of the 15,000-teu MSC Aries (built 2020) that was seized by Iranian naval forces on 13 April in the Strait of Hormuz.
Crewing agencies and shipping companies should “exercise utmost caution” and not place Indian seafarers to Iran and Israel until further notice, said the country’s directorate general of shipping.
“It is imperative that the safety and well-being of our seafarers remain our top priority,” it said in an advisory.
“Directorate general of shipping emphasises the importance of exercising extreme caution and limiting movement to essential tasks only, considering the volatile security situation in the region.”
It added that seafarers that are heading there should contact the nearest Indian embassy to register their details in case of any “emergency or unforeseen circumstances”.
India is the fifth-largest supplier of seafarers to the global fleet with more than 113,000 in 2021, according to the most recent Seafarer Workforce Report produced by shipowner groups Bimco and the International Chamber of Shipping.
Only the Philippines, Russia, Indonesia and China supply more.
The Indian foreign ministry said last week it was in touch with the Iranian authorities over the well-being of the Indian crew on board the MSC Aries. One cadet, Ann Tessa Joseph, was freed and returned to India on Thursday.
New Delhi’s diplomatic mission in Tehran is in touch with the remaining 16 who are in good health and in touch with their families, said India’s foreign ministry on Thursday.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels also seized the 5,100-ceu Galaxy Leader car carrier (built 2002) and have held the Filipino-majority crew since November.
A Vietnamese and two Filipino crew members were killed in direct hit on the 50,448-dwt True Confidence bulker (built 2011) in March.
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