Indian Seafarers Safe Amidst West Asia Tensions, Says Shipping Director

Opesh Kumar Sharma, Shipping Director, assures continued safety for Indian seafarers in West Asia, with no incidents reported involving Indian-flagged vessels recently. Over 2,999 seafarers, including 23 in the last 48 hours, have been safely repatriated from the Gulf. Efforts continue for smooth maritime operations amid geopolitical tensions.

Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director of Shipping at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, confirmed on Wednesday that Indian seafarers remain unharmed amidst West Asia tensions. He emphasized there have been no reported incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels in the last 48 hours. Sharma highlighted the Ministry's success in repatriating more than 2,999 seafarers, including 23 in recent days, from the Gulf region.

During an inter-ministerial briefing, Sharma stressed the ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety and welfare of seafarers. He noted that port operations across India are running smoothly and without congestion. A dedicated control room at the Directorate General of Shipping has managed thousands of calls and emails, including 156 calls and 668 emails over the past two days.

When questioned about comments by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding 'Operation Epic Fury,' Sharma refrained from speculation, focusing instead on monitoring developments with Indian embassies. He assured that efforts are underway to facilitate the safe passage of Indian vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted alternative shipping routes being operationalized to maintain trade flow and reduce port congestion.