India Halts Deployment of Seafarers on Hormuz Transit Ships

India has ordered shipping companies, vessel managers and recruitment agencies to stop deploying Indian seafarers on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, citing escalating security risks in the region.

The Directorate General of Shipping said the precautionary measure follows a sharp increase in attacks affecting commercial vessels and crews operating in conflict-affected waters.

The agency said it is closely monitoring the security situation and remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of Indian seafarers.

India is one of the world's largest suppliers of maritime personnel, with more than 320,000 Indian seafarers employed in the global shipping industry in 2025, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The directive comes after officials confirmed that at least two Indian seafarers were killed in attacks targeting commercial ships over the past week.