India safely moved 60 merchant vessels carrying cargo through the Strait of Hormuz during the recent Gulf crisis, while bringing back 3,972 Indian seafarers from the region and running a 24-hour emergency response system, the government told Parliament.
The government said the vessels completed their transit despite increased security concerns in the West Asia region.
The disclosure provides details of India’s maritime response during a period when tensions raised concerns over shipping movements, energy supplies and safety of seafarers operating in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is one of the world’s most important maritime routes.
Nearly one-fifth of global oil trade passes through the waterway, making its security important for international energy and shipping markets.
India has a major interest in keeping the route open as it imports nearly 90% of its crude oil requirements. A large share of these imports comes from Gulf countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.
Any extended disruption in the Strait of Hormuz can affect shipping costs, insurance rates and energy supply chains. The government said the safe movement of 60 merchant vessels helped ensure that cargo operations continued during the crisis.
The government also provided details about the assistance given to Indian seafarers affected by the situation. It said 3,972 Indian seafarers were repatriated from the Gulf region, while officials remained in contact with their families and provided welfare support wherever required.
Indian seafarers work on commercial vessels across international shipping routes. During periods of regional tension, they can face challenges while operating in areas affected by security concerns.
To manage the situation, a 24-hour Control Room and the Directorate General of Shipping Communication Centre (MMDAC) operated throughout the crisis.
Under the emergency arrangements, ships were asked to contact the nearest Indian Navy or coalition warship through VHF Channel 16.
They were also required to inform the Directorate General of Shipping Communication Centre, the Information Fusion Centre–Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
The emergency system received thousands of communications from the maritime community. Since its activation, the control room handled 15,771 telephone calls and 36,499 emails from seafarers, their families and other stakeholders.
The government’s response showed the scale of coordination required to support commercial shipping operations during a period of uncertainty in the Gulf region.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a key route for global energy shipments, and maintaining safe navigation through the waterway continues to be a priority for countries dependent on Gulf trade and oil supplies.
India said its emergency mechanisms remained active to support vessel movements and assist seafarers during the crisis.
