Don’t deploy Indian sailors on ships passing through Hormuz: India tells shipping firms

2 min readUpdated: Jul 16, 2026 12:00 PM IST

A vessel at the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Oman, Tuesday. (Reuters)

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed shipping companies to avoid deploying Indian sailors on vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

In an advisory to ship owners, ship managers, and personnel management firms, the DGMA warned against deployment of Indian sailors on ships that are passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

“In view of the heightened security situation in the Gulf region, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), through DGMA Circular No. 36 of 2026, has directed Ship Owners, Ship Managers and RPSL Companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders,” the Directorate General of Shipping said in a statement on Wednesday.

Advisory for Indian Maritime Stakeholders

In view of the heightened security situation in the Gulf region, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), through DGMA Circular No. 36 of 2026, has directed Ship Owners, Ship Managers and RPSL Companies to avoid… pic.twitter.com/s8XgKI1ifn

— Directorate General of Shipping, Govt. of India (@dgshipping_IN) July 15, 2026

It urged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters to maintain heightened vigil and monitor navigational warnings, and security advisories.

“Masters of vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters shall maintain a heightened level of security vigilance, continuously monitor navigational warnings, security advisories and updates issued by the competent authorities, and implement all applicable Ship Security Measures, Ship Security Plans (SSP) and Company Security Procedures in accordance with the ISPS Code,” the advisory added.

The development comes as the tensions have soared in West Asia following the attack by US Central Command on Iranian targets. The strikes have met with retaliation from Tehran, which launched continued attack at US facilities in the Gulf region. US President Donald Trump has announced a blockade of the Hormuz for Iranian ships.

Recently, an Indian seafarer went missing after a Cyprus-flagged ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz was targeted by Iran. His death was later confirmed by the family on Tuesday. As many as 13 Indian sailors have died in the region since the US-Iran war began since February 28.