{"id":108152,"date":"2026-06-14T10:28:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-14T04:58:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=108152"},"modified":"2026-06-14T13:39:30","modified_gmt":"2026-06-14T08:09:30","slug":"indian-seafarer-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/indian-seafarer-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Indian Seafarer Safety &#8211; Government Steps and Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Indian Seafarer Safety Latest News<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The recent deaths of Indian seafarers Aditya Sharma, Shivanand Chaurashiya, and Patnala Suresh aboard the merchant vessel <\/span><b><i>Settebello<\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have brought urgent attention to the safety of Indian mariners operating in conflict-affected maritime corridors.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>About Indian Seafarers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seafarers are professional sailors who serve aboard merchant ships engaged in international and domestic trade.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>With over 2.5 lakh seafarers, <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India ranks among the top three countries supplying skilled maritime workforce globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Regulatory Framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the principal authority responsible for:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certification and training of Indian seafarers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implementation of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oversight of seafarer welfare measures.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compliance with international conventions like the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Government Steps for Safety and Welfare of Indian Seafarers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regulatory and Institutional Measures<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Merchant Shipping Act, 1958<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The principal legislation governing Indian seafarers and merchant shipping.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides for certification, employment conditions, welfare, and safety standards.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently undergoing modernisation through the proposed Merchant Shipping Bill to align with international conventions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><b>Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The regulatory authority for seafarer training, certification, and welfare.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Issues Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) to Indian seafarers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Implements the <\/span><b>Maritime Labour Convention, 2006<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintains a central database of registered seafarers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><b>National Shipping Board<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advisory body on matters relating to Indian shipping and merchant marine.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommends policies for maritime development and seafarer welfare.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"2\"><b>Skill India Initiative<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Specialised maritime skill development programmes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apprenticeship and pre-sea training for aspiring seafarers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognition of prior learning (RPL) for experienced mariners.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Safety and Security Measures<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Maritime Security Coordination<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Information Fusion Centre &#8211; Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) at Gurugram for maritime domain awareness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coordination among the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and DGS.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real-time threat assessment and dissemination to shipowners.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Anti-Piracy Measures<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Navy escorts in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Best Management Practices (BMP) for ships transiting high-risk areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Armed guards on Indian-flagged vessels in piracy-prone regions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Search and Rescue Operations<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian Coast Guard maintains 24\/7 search and rescue capabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) at strategic locations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid response for distress situations involving Indian seafarers.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>News Summary<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This incident underscores the human cost of geopolitical conflicts borne by civilian mariners navigating dangerous corridors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The debate following recent attacks on merchant vessels has highlighted misunderstandings about sanctioned vessels.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>sanctioned vessel is one designated under an economic, trade, or security sanctions regime imposed by a government or international organisation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Limited Universal Applicability<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A vessel sanctioned by one country is not automatically sanctioned everywhere.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unilateral sanctions generally apply only within the jurisdiction of the imposing country.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UN Security Council resolutions are binding globally.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A vessel sanctioned by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) does not automatically become illegal under Indian law.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Core Issue: Seafarer Safety in Conflict Zones<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">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.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Expected Indian Response<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The maritime community expects India to adopt a stronger, more proactive posture:<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unequivocal condemnation of attacks on merchant shipping and civilian seafarers, regardless of nationality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continued advocacy for adherence to international maritime law and freedom of navigation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raising concerns at multilateral forums, including the UN, IMO, and regional maritime security platforms.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Beyond Diplomatic Engagement<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diplomatic engagement alone may not suffice. India must:<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work closely with flag states, shipowners, and operators.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure appropriate security measures for vessels transiting high-risk areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevent Indian seafarers from being compelled to sail through war risk zones without full disclosure of risks and their informed consent.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strengthening Maritime Security<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a growing expectation that India will strengthen its maritime security posture:<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced naval deployments in critical regions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded Coast Guard surveillance.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rapid response capabilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preparedness for hostage rescue and evacuation operations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Timely dissemination of actionable intelligence to shipowners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular threat assessments for operators.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>The Strait of Hormuz Question<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recurring debate centres on whether Indian seafarers should be prohibited from serving on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz:<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>Why Blanket Bans Are Not the Solution<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world&#8217;s most critical maritime chokepoints.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Handles a substantial share of global energy trade.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thousands of Indian seafarers earn livelihoods aboard vessels transiting the region.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comprehensive prohibition could affect:\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employment opportunities for Indian mariners.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Global supply chains.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India&#8217;s standing as a leading supplier of maritime manpower.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Preferred Approach<\/b>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The industry seeks a calibrated, evidence-based approach:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Periodic risk assessments.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear advisories to shipowners and seafarers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mandatory informed consent for deployment in high-risk areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enhanced security protocols rather than outright restrictions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Temporary advisories if the threat environment deteriorates significantly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Proposed Framework<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India would benefit from an inter-ministerial maritime security framework capable of:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Escalating measures in proportion to the threat environment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bringing together maritime regulators, foreign policy officials, defence agencies, intelligence organisations, shipowners&#8217; associations, and seafarers&#8217; unions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facilitating real-time decision-making.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This integrated approach would ensure:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comprehensive threat assessment.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unified response to maritime emergencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Better coordination between stakeholders.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: justify;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faster decision-making in crises.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source :<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressreader.com\/india\/the-hindu-bangalore-9ww1\/20260614\/281977499316612\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Indian seafarer safety has become a critical concern amid geopolitical conflicts, with the government taking multiple steps to protect mariners in war risk zones.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":108171,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[8123,60,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-108152","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-indian-seafarer-safety","9":"tag-mains-articles","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs-tag","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108152","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/21"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108152"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108152\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108170,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108152\/revisions\/108170"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108152"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108152"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108152"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}