Page 8 - The Indian EYE 050126

EYE ON INDIA MAY 01, 2026 | The Indian Eye 8

Iran War Strains India’s Shipping Lifelines,

Triggers Multi-Layered Government Response

Rising insecurity in key maritime corridors is disrupting trade flows and forcing India to

recalibrate shipping, logistics, and seafarer safety mechanisms

OUR BUREAU
New Delhi / Dubai
he escalating conflict in West Asia, particu-
larly around the strategically critical Strait of
THormuz, is emerging as a serious stress test
for India’s shipping ecosystem, exposing vulnerabil-
ities in trade routes while prompting a coordinated
government response to safeguard seafarers, stabi-
lise logistics, and maintain supply chains.
At the heart of the crisis lies a paradox: while
Indian-flagged vessels have largely avoided direct
attack, the risks to Indian seafarers—many of whom
serve aboard foreign-flagged ships—have surged
sharply. “In the past 24 hours, there were certain
incidents of firing on the foreign-flag vessels. Al-
though none of the Indian vessels came under fire,
we are worried for the Indian seafarers on these
vessels,” said Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal,
underscoring the indirect exposure India faces de-
spite limited direct targeting.
This distinction is crucial. India’s maritime
workforce is globally dispersed, meaning geopoliti-
cal instability in distant waters can quickly translate
into domestic anxiety and operational disruption.
Mangal confirmed that all Indian crew members on Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Coal Sanjeev Kumar Kassi, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
affected vessels—including 21 aboard Euphoria and Sujata Sharma, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports in Shipping & Waterways Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary, Ministry
one on Epaminondas—are safe, adding, “None of of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, DG, PIB Mattu J.P. Singh and other officials during an Inter-Ministerial Briefing on Recent
the Indian seafarers has been injured.”
Yet, the broader pattern of incidents—includ- Developments in West Asia at National Media Centre, in New Delhi on Wednesday (ANI Photo/Jitender Gupta)
ing reported firing on vessels such as VLCC Sam-
nar Herad and bulk carrier Jag Arnav, which were These “back to town” containers—cargo returned maintain transparency and responsiveness.
forced to turn back—highlights the unpredictability to ports due to uncertainty—peaked at 3,383 on Evacuation and repatriation efforts have also
of the region. Even successful passages, like that of March 8 along India’s western coast. been significant. The Directorate General of Ship-
the tanker Desh Garima, which carried 31 Indian The government’s response has been notably ping has facilitated the return of over 2,600 Indian
seafarers through the corridor, are now seen less as interventionist and coordinated. By March 19, the seafarers from the Gulf region so far, including doz-
routine operations and more as calculated risks. number of stranded containers had dropped to just ens in recent days. “The safety and security of Indi-
The implications for India’s trade are immedi- 99—a 97 percent reduction—thanks largely to pol- an seafarers remains the top priority. We are moni-
ate and structural. The Hormuz corridor handles a icy relief measures. “This reduction was made pos- toring the situation continuously and are committed
significant share of India’s crude oil and gas imports, sible by the great cooperation of the ports, which to extending all possible help,” Mangal said.
making any disruption a direct threat to energy se- waived their demurrage and extra rent… providing Operationally, there are tentative signs of sta-
curity. Jan Noether, Director General of the Indo significant relief to exporters,” Mangal said. bilisation. Of the 14 vessels (13 Indian-flagged and
German Chamber of Commerce, pointed to the This approach reflects a broader crisis-manage- one Indian-owned) in the Persian Gulf region, 10
wider economic fallout: “Trade has been affected ment strategy combining real-time monitoring, fi- have already transited safely. Additionally, since
since both India and Germany depend on supplies nancial mitigation, and diplomatic coordination. The late February, multiple LPG and crude carriers have
through the Strait of Hormuz, including oil and gas, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has been navigated the corridor without incident, suggesting
which form the basis of energy supplies.” working closely with the Ministry of External Affairs, that maritime traffic, while cautious, has not halted.
He added that the ripple effects are already visi- Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders to ensure sIn effect, the Iran-linked conflict has evolved
ble globally: “Prices are up… fuel prices and general both operational continuity and personnel safety. into more than a regional security issue—it is now a
prices of daily consumption have increased,” reflect- A key pillar of this response is the maritime test of India’s maritime resilience. While swift gov-
ing how maritime insecurity translates into inflation- control room, which has become a central commu- ernment action has mitigated immediate disruptions,
ary pressure across economies. nication hub. Since its activation, it has handled over the crisis underscores the urgent need for diversifica-
For India, the crisis initially triggered severe lo- 7,200 calls and around 15,000 emails, including more tion of trade routes, strengthened maritime security
gistical bottlenecks. When the conflict began, “ship- than 150 calls in the last 24 hours alone. This surge frameworks, and long-term energy supply strategies.
ping line operations were disrupted, and many con- illustrates the scale of concern among seafarers and For now, India’s shipping sector remains
tainers accumulated at the ports,” Mangal noted. their families, as well as the government’s attempt to afloat—but navigating increasingly turbulent waters.

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