Government issues advisory for Indian sailors after deaths in Black Sea

The government issued an advisory on Sunday addressing commercial shipping personnel and sailors operating in the Black Sea. The advisory urges extreme caution and emphasizes the importance of insurance coverage and emergency arrangements. It follows recent attacks on commercial vessels that resulted in the deaths of five Indian nationals.

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the security situation in the region remains highly unstable due to ongoing conflict. Commercial vessels transiting the area face significant threats, including missile and drone attacks. Attacks have escalated since April, prompting officials to advise Indian citizens to carefully assess security risks before accepting employment on ships operating in these waters.

The advisory recommends sailors seek detailed information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding vessel routes, ports of call, security measures, insurance coverage and emergency response protocols. Employment terms must align with international maritime guidelines and include adequate medical facilities, evacuation provisions, repatriation and compensation in emergencies.