India Bans Sending Sailors Through Hormuz

Indian maritime authorities have directed ship owners and recruitment companies to avoid sending Indian sailors to work on ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as a precautionary measure following renewed military escalation between the United States and Iran.

The Directorate General of Shipping of India stated in a statement today that the directive aims to protect the safety of Indian sailors working in international navigation, amid escalating risks facing commercial shipping in one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.

It added that the decision will remain in effect until further notice, calling on ship masters to raise vigilance and follow navigation and security warnings issued by relevant authorities.

India is the third largest supplier of sailors in the world, with over 300,000 Indian sailors working in global shipping fleets, according to government data.

The decision comes after the killing of two Indian sailors in attacks on ships over the past three days, amid rising tensions in the Middle East region.