No more Indian crew members in ships travelling through Hormuz: Centre bans deployment amid escalating US-Iran war

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the West Asia conflict, the Union Shipping Ministry has barred the deployment of Indian crew members on ships travelling through the highly volatile Strait of Hormuz. The order was issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) to ship owners and recruitment agencies following the deaths of two more Indian sailors in recent attacks.

Officials said that 13 Indian seafarers have been killed in ship attacks since the conflict began in February.

The directive has been issued to ship owners and shipping agencies. However, it remains unclear whether the order will apply to Indian crew members who are already serving on international vessels operating in the Gulf and other regions. There is also concern because crew changes on ships operating in conflict zones can usually happen only when the vessel reaches a port. Until then, many Indian sailors may have to remain on board despite the risks.

Flight services also under threat

As the Iran-US conflict intensifies once again, expatriates, including thousands of Keralites living in the Gulf, are worried that flight services could be disrupted at any moment. Airlines have warned passengers that flights may be delayed or rerouted at the last minute depending on the evolving security situation.

An IndiGo flight from Hyderabad that was scheduled to arrive at Kuwait International Airport on Thursday morning was among the flights that were delayed. Meanwhile, Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways warned that regional airspace could be closed at any time if the security situation worsens. However, Gulf carriers including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways said they are continuing normal operations, except for minor schedule adjustments.

Red Sea shipping also under threat

Iran has reportedly instructed Yemen's Houthi rebels to block shipping in the Red Sea if the United States attacks Iran's civilian energy facilities. The Houthis are said to have missiles and drones positioned near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Any disruption to shipping through the strait could have a major impact on global trade, including India's imports and exports.

US targets oil tanker

• The United States attacked an oil tanker that was attempting to reach Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil export terminal. US forces also carried out strikes on military installations in southern Iran, with areas in and around Tehran also reportedly targeted.
• US carried out bombing near a children's cancer hospital in Ahvaz.
• Iran warned that it could completely halt fuel exports from the Gulf if the conflict escalates further. Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan were reportedly intercepted, and no casualties were reported.
• Iran released an Iranian-American woman who had been detained in 2024 on suspicion of espionage.

Number of people killed in Iran in US attacks since Sunday: 35
Injured: 300