Measures taken for safety of seafarers in Persian Gulf: DGS

Director General of Shipping Amitabh Kumar Monday reiterated that all measures have been taken to ensure safety and security of seafarers on board Indian flagged vessels operating in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf region. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) had issued two advisories on June 13 and 16 to all Indian flagged vessels operating in the regions, advising them to undertake appropriate protection measure.

Earlier this month attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz raised concerns of a military confrontation between the US and Iran. The Indian Navy has also deployed warships in the Gulf of Oman and Persian Gulf to ensure the safety of the vessels, as tensions escalated following Iran shot down US drone near Strait of Hormuz.

"We have taken steps to ensure Indian seafarers on board Indian ships are safe and secured. We have made sure that seafarers feel safe in the troubled waters," Kumar told PTI here on the sidelines of an event organised by Synergy Maritime in association with Tata Institute of Social Sciences. When asked whether there is fear among Indian seafarers about venturing into troubled waters, Kumar said, "the world has to move, the life has to go on. We cannot starve our nation of the resources we need. As nearly 95 per cent of the merchandise trade is done through ships, we cannot stop them from operating. We have to provide a safe environment to them." Kumar further said that DGS has not received any communication from seafarers or operators so far that they do not want to venture in the troubled regions.

"The fact that the international community knows the Indian government is keen to provide safety to its own vessels and seafarers, itself sends a very strong message," he added.