Indian Seafarer Safety – Government Steps and Challenges

Indian Seafarer Safety Latest News

• The recent deaths of Indian seafarers Aditya Sharma, Shivanand Chaurashiya, and Patnala Suresh aboard the merchant vessel Settebello have brought urgent attention to the safety of Indian mariners operating in conflict-affected maritime corridors.

About Indian Seafarers

• Seafarers are professional sailors who serve aboard merchant ships engaged in international and domestic trade. 
• With over 2.5 lakh seafarers, India ranks among the top three countries supplying skilled maritime workforce globally.

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Regulatory Framework

• The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the principal authority responsible for:
  • Certification and training of Indian seafarers.
  • Implementation of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
  • Oversight of seafarer welfare measures.
  • Compliance with international conventions like the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.

Government Steps for Safety and Welfare of Indian Seafarers

• Regulatory and Institutional Measures
  • Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
    • The principal legislation governing Indian seafarers and merchant shipping.
    • Provides for certification, employment conditions, welfare, and safety standards.
    • Currently undergoing modernisation through the proposed Merchant Shipping Bill to align with international conventions.
  • Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)
    • The regulatory authority for seafarer training, certification, and welfare.
    • Issues Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) to Indian seafarers.
    • Implements the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 provisions.
    • Maintains a central database of registered seafarers.
  • National Shipping Board
    • Advisory body on matters relating to Indian shipping and merchant marine.
    • Recommends policies for maritime development and seafarer welfare.
  • Skill India Initiative
    • Specialised maritime skill development programmes.
    • Apprenticeship and pre-sea training for aspiring seafarers.
    • Recognition of prior learning (RPL) for experienced mariners.

Safety and Security Measures

• Maritime Security Coordination
  • Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram for maritime domain awareness.
  • Coordination among the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and DGS.
  • Real-time threat assessment and dissemination to shipowners.
• Anti-Piracy Measures
  • Indian Navy escorts in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean.
  • Best Management Practices (BMP) for ships transiting high-risk areas.
  • Armed guards on Indian-flagged vessels in piracy-prone regions.
• Search and Rescue Operations
  • Indian Coast Guard maintains 24/7 search and rescue capabilities.
  • Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) at strategic locations.
  • Rapid response for distress situations involving Indian seafarers.

News Summary

• The deaths of three Indian seafarers, Aditya Sharma, Shivanand Chaurashiya, and Patnala Suresh, aboard the merchant vessel Settebello have sparked widespread concern within the maritime community. 
• This incident underscores the human cost of geopolitical conflicts borne by civilian mariners navigating dangerous corridors.
• The debate following recent attacks on merchant vessels has highlighted misunderstandings about sanctioned vessels.
• A sanctioned vessel is one designated under an economic, trade, or security sanctions regime imposed by a government or international organisation.

Limited Universal Applicability

• A vessel sanctioned by one country is not automatically sanctioned everywhere.
• Unilateral sanctions generally apply only within the jurisdiction of the imposing country.
• UN Security Council resolutions are binding globally.
• A vessel sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) does not automatically become illegal under Indian law.

Core Issue: Seafarer Safety in Conflict Zones

• The larger concern is not the legal status of individual ships, but the safety of seafarers operating in regions where commercial shipping is entangled in geopolitical conflict.
• Expected Indian Response
  • The maritime community expects India to adopt a stronger, more proactive posture:
  • Unequivocal condemnation of attacks on merchant shipping and civilian seafarers, regardless of nationality.
  • Continued advocacy for adherence to international maritime law and freedom of navigation.
  • Raising concerns at multilateral forums, including the UN, IMO, and regional maritime security platforms.
• Beyond Diplomatic Engagement
  • Diplomatic engagement alone may not suffice. India must:
  • Work closely with flag states, shipowners, and operators.
  • Ensure appropriate security measures for vessels transiting high-risk areas.
  • Prevent Indian seafarers from being compelled to sail through war risk zones without full disclosure of risks and their informed consent.
• Strengthening Maritime Security
  • There is a growing expectation that India will strengthen its maritime security posture:
  • Enhanced naval deployments in critical regions.
  • Expanded Coast Guard surveillance.
  • Rapid response capabilities.
  • Preparedness for hostage rescue and evacuation operations.
  • Timely dissemination of actionable intelligence to shipowners.
  • Regular threat assessments for operators.

The Strait of Hormuz Question

• A recurring debate centres on whether Indian seafarers should be prohibited from serving on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz:
• Why Blanket Bans Are Not the Solution
  • The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
  • Handles a substantial share of global energy trade.
  • Thousands of Indian seafarers earn livelihoods aboard vessels transiting the region.
  • Comprehensive prohibition could affect: 
    • Employment opportunities for Indian mariners.
    • Global supply chains.
    • India’s standing as a leading supplier of maritime manpower.
• Preferred Approach
  • The industry seeks a calibrated, evidence-based approach:
    • Periodic risk assessments.
    • Clear advisories to shipowners and seafarers.
    • Mandatory informed consent for deployment in high-risk areas.
    • Enhanced security protocols rather than outright restrictions.
    • Temporary advisories if the threat environment deteriorates significantly.

Proposed Framework

• India would benefit from an inter-ministerial maritime security framework capable of:
  • Escalating measures in proportion to the threat environment.
  • Bringing together maritime regulators, foreign policy officials, defence agencies, intelligence organisations, shipowners’ associations, and seafarers’ unions.
  • Facilitating real-time decision-making.
• This integrated approach would ensure:
  • Comprehensive threat assessment.
  • Unified response to maritime emergencies.
  • Better coordination between stakeholders.
  • Faster decision-making in crises.

Source : TH