India is the world’s third-largest supplier of seafarers, with more than 300,000 Indian sailors employed on ships across the globe, according to government data. The latest precautionary measure was announced after two Indian seafarers were killed in separate attacks on vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz over the past three days.
In its order dated Wednesday, the DGMA instructed shipowners, ship managers and recruitment companies to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders.
“Companies are directed to avoid deploying Indian seafarers on vessels undertaking voyages involving passage through the Strait of Hormuz until further orders,” the notice stated.
The maritime regulator said recent attacks on commercial vessels had “significantly” increased risks for seafarers working in the conflict-hit region. The order stated that, “In view of the heightened security situation in the Persian Gulf region, the Directorate considers it necessary to adopt enhanced precautionary measures to safeguard the interests of Indian seafarers serving on board ships operating in the region.”
The DGMA also directed vessel masters to remain alert to developments in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. They were instructed to continuously monitor navigational warnings and take necessary security precautions while operating in the sensitive maritime zone.
The notice further stated that the DGMA was closely monitoring the evolving security situation and remained committed to protecting the safety, security and welfare of Indian seafarers serving on ships in the region.
Two Indian nationals, 31-year-old Rohan Kumar from Gopalganj district in Bihar and 30-year-old Herambh Karmarkar from Pune, were killed in separate attacks on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, authorities confirmed.
Rohan Kumar was killed in missile attacks on two Emirati oil tankers, MT Mombasa and MT Al Bahiyah, in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Confirming his death, District Magistrate Sameer Saurabh said that an official had been sent to the deceased’s family to begin the necessary paperwork for repatriating the body.
Herambh Karmarkar went missing after an attack on the cargo vessel MV GFS Galaxy off the coast of Oman. He was later confirmed dead by the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
“We express our deepest condolences at the tragic demise of an Indian national due to an attack on the commercial vessel MV GFS Galaxy on 12 July 2026,” the mission said in a post on X.
Following the attacks, Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission Mohammad Javad Hosseini was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday. During the meeting, Anand Prakash, Joint Secretary handling the Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran division, lodged a strong protest over the incident.
The DGMA’s directive reflects India’s growing concern over the safety of its large seafaring workforce amid increasing maritime threats in one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes. The suspension of deployment through the Strait of Hormuz will remain in effect until further instructions as authorities continue to assess the security situation.
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