The government on Tuesday asked that the shipping authority establish a dashboard that would provide real-time information about Indian seafarers on every ship operating in the Middle East, regardless of the ship's flag, amid the growing maritime security problem in the region.
According to an official statement, Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal requested that the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) create a thorough vessel-by-vessel operational dashboard to account for every Indian on every vessel operating in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, regardless of its flag.
According to the statement, the dashboard will offer real-time data on the position, ownership, cargo, crew size, crew wellbeing, threat assessment, intended trip, next port of call, and facility availability of the vessel.

According to the statement, the minister unequivocally ordered that each Indian seafarer in the impacted area be personally accounted for, regardless of the flag of the ship.
Sonowal emphasized that the safety and security of Indian seafarers must be compromised in any way, emphasizing that their wellbeing is still of utmost importance.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, the Indian Navy, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), and Indian missions in Iran and Oman, ordered real-time vessel-by-vessel monitoring, the appointment of specialized liaison officers for each impacted Indian seafarer, and 24-hour coordination.

The attacks on two ships, MT Al Bahiyah and MT Mombasa, in the Strait of Hormuz prompted the review meeting. Together, the two ships had a crew of 46, including 30 Indian sailors. On board MT Al Bahiyah, one Indian seafarer died and another was injured. Nine Indian nationals were hurt aboard MT Mombasa.
According to the statement, Union Minister of State for Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, senior officials from MoPSW, MEA, the Indian Navy, DG of Shipping, Indian embassies in Iran and Oman, and other important maritime agencies reviewed the changing security environment in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman, evaluated India's emergency response and contingency plans, and assessed the risks facing Indian seafarers.

Sonowal added, "India has expressed its strong resentment and objection to the manner of attacks on defenceless civilian merchant vessels," expressing deep sorrow over the incident." He continued, "These (attacks) have resulted in the death and serious injury of Indian seafarers who, as essential workers, ensure the proper functioning of global supply chains."
Sonowal ordered the appointment of a special liaison person for each Indian seafarer affected by the issue in order to guarantee continuous support for impacted families.In order to coordinate medical updates, travel paperwork, family support, repatriation, Seafarers Welfare Fund help, unpaid pay, contractual entitlements, and other compensations, each liaison officer would operate as the sole point of contact for families, he stated.

In order to obtain verified and up-to-date information on navigational safety, coastal-state advisories, route status, port-of-refuge arrangements, hospitals, medical evacuation, repatriation procedures, mortal remains management, and the status of ongoing investigations, the minister also instructed officials to collaborate closely with Indian Missions in Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as other impacted countries in the region, in addition to the MEA.
According to Sonowal, the government has communicated with all of the IMO's multilateral forums as well as the representatives of the relevant flag administration involved in the numerous incidents that violated international agreements, essential requirements for the security and safety of seafarers, and protection of merchant vessels' right of innocent passage.

"We will continue to make every effort to ensure resolution of the issues and remain committed to all stakeholders in this trying and challenging time," Sonowal stated.
According to Sonowal, a new threat assessment, the ship's master's professional judgment, and careful cooperation with relevant maritime authorities are required before any vessel movement through the impacted area.
Additionally, he instructed the Ministry to promptly provide compliance reports and confirmation that no Indian seafarer is being forced to sail without sufficient information, protection, and support from ship owners, vessel managers, and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) organizations that employ Indian seafarers in the area.