India bans Indian seafarer deployment on Hormuz transits

India has ordered shipowners, managers, and recruitment firms to stop deploying Indian seafarers on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, citing a severe deterioration in regional security. The directive, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping on July 15, 2026, follows recent attacks on commercial ships that killed two Indian sailors.

The order prohibits the deployment of Indian crew on voyages through the strategic waterway until further notice. Officials stated the measure is a necessary precaution to safeguard seafarers, as recent attacks have significantly increased risks in the conflict-affected area. The government also summoned Iran's deputy ambassador in New Delhi to lodge a strong protest over one of the fatalities.

India is the world's third-largest supplier of seafarers, with over 300,000 sailors serving on international fleets. The strait is a critical global oil chokepoint, handling roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil. The advisory instructs vessel masters to maintain heightened vigilance in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and adjoining waters, and to continuously monitor navigational warnings and security advisories.