<p data-path-to-node="5">In a major regulatory intervention amid escalating conflict in West Asia, the Indian government has officially directed shipowners, managers, and maritime recruitment agencies to immediately stop deploying Indian seafarers on merchant ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The binding security directive was issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) via <b data-path-to-node="5" data-index-in-node="400">Circular No. 36 of 2026</b>.</p><p data-path-to-node="6">The order imposes an immediate, open-ended suspension on posting Indian crew members to any vessels undertaking voyages through the high-risk shipping chokepoint "until further notice."</p><h3 data-path-to-node="8"><b data-path-to-node="8" data-index-in-node="0">DGMA Mandates Heightened Vigilance and Security Compliance in Persian Gulf and Adjoining Waters</b></h3><p data-path-to-node="9">The emergency directive shifts maritime recruitment protocols into a defensive posture to protect India’s vast seafaring labor force:</p><ul data-path-to-node="10"><li><p data-path-to-node="10,0,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,0,0" data-index-in-node="0">Responding to Severe Casualties:</b> The complete restriction on crew deployments follows a series of direct missile and drone attacks on merchant shipping in the Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz. These attacks tragically claimed the lives of two Indian seafarers, identified as 31-year-old Rohan Kumar from Bihar and 30-year-old Herambh Karmarkar from Pune, who were serving on affected commercial vessels.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,1,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,1,0" data-index-in-node="0">Broad Industry-Wide Mandate:</b> The DGMA circular applies directly to all domestic shipowners, ship managers, and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) companies. With India standing as the world's second-largest supplier of merchant sailors supporting more than 310,000 active seafarers globally the ban is expected to trigger significant staffing bottlenecks for international vessel operators reliant on Indian crews.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,2,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,2,0" data-index-in-node="0">Instructions to Ship Masters:</b> For vessels currently operating within or near the conflict zone, the regulator has instructed ship masters to maintain the highest levels of security vigilance. Crews must closely monitor regional navigational warnings, track maritime security advisories, and strictly implement all defensive measures outlined under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.</p></li><li><p data-path-to-node="10,3,0"><b data-path-to-node="10,3,0" data-index-in-node="0">Global Shipping Challenges:</b> While industry groups support prioritizing seafarer safety, trade representatives note that enforcing the mandate across foreign-owned and foreign-flagged hulls presents significant operational hurdles. The restrictions could increase personnel costs for shipping lines and lead to labor shortages, further disrupting global maritime transit loops through the Persian Gulf.</p></li></ul>