The Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello, with 24 Indian seafarers on board, was attacked by US forces off the coast of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz, on June 10 | Photo Credit: ANI

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has asked fleet owners and recruitment firms to restrict deployment of seafarers in Persian Gulf region.

The move follows attacks on commercial vessels that have tried to bypass the US imposed blockade in the Gulf waters. Three Indian seafarers were killed in a US strike on oil tanker MT Settebello on Wednesday. Two other vessels manned by Indian crew - MT Marivex and MT Jalveer - also came under attack in the last week.

On Saturday, the DGS said all recruitment and placement firms and shipping companies are advised to restrict deployment of Indian seafarers to conflict areas. “However, companies may carry out crew change in emergency situations with the consent of crew,” the DGS said in its security advisory.

In view of the heightened security risks, the regulator has asked all ship masters (captains) to increase vigilance. “Masters of vessels operating in or transiting through the Gulf region, including the Strait of Hormuz and adjoining waters, are advised to maintain heightened security awareness, closely monitor navigational warnings received and advisories issued from security agencies, and implement all applicable ship security measures and company security procedures,” it said.

According to the International Maritime Organisation there have been 46 attacks on in and around Strait of Hormuz since February 28 resulting in fourteen casualties. International Maritime Organisation secretary general Arsenio Dominguez has condemned the attacks on vessels calling them “simply unacceptable.”

The external affairs ministry twice summoned US diplomats to lodge protest against the attacks and deaths of Indian seafarers. On Saturday, external affairs minister S Jaishankar spoke with US secretary of state Marco Rubio to reiterate the government’s protest. 

“Such lethal actions against commercial shipping are not justified,” Jaishankar told Rubio.

Published on June 14, 2026