India monitoring Persian Gulf maritime situation closely: Sinha

India is closely monitoring the maritime situation in the Persian Gulf amid escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, with 38 Indian-flagged ships carrying approximately 1,100 seafarers stranded in the region. The vessels, primarily crude oil tankers, LNG carriers, and energy transport ships, are operating in sensitive waters around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy transit corridor. While no direct attacks on Indian-flagged ships have been reported, heightened risks have prompted the government to activate emergency monitoring and coordination mechanisms. Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the situation, emphasizing the safety of seafarers and the stability of shipping operations.

The crisis has disrupted global trade, with at least 150 ships stranded near the Strait of Hormuz and several container shipping lines suspending West Asia services. Rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope has increased fuel consumption, operational costs, and delivery delays, compounding challenges for Indian exporters. Cargo congestion at Indian ports has also intensified, with nearly 1,000 containers awaiting shipment and perishable goods facing financial risks due to transit delays.

Indian seafarers, who constitute the third-largest global maritime workforce, remain vulnerable as regional instability persists. Authorities report four incidents involving Indian crew members on foreign-flagged vessels, including three fatalities and one injury, underscoring the human and economic toll of the crisis. Alternative logistics arrangements, such as terminating Gulf-bound voyels at regional ports like Fujairah and Sohar, are being utilized to maintain trade flows, though these measures add complexity and cost.

The situation highlights the fragility of energy supply chains and the broader economic implications of geopolitical volatility in strategic maritime zones.