Stories
Indian Sailors Face Rising Threats Amid Multiple Attacks in Black Sea and Hormuz
- •Three separate attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea and Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours have left multiple Indian sailors injured and forced crew evacuations.
- •The Liberian-flagged Aframax Rio carrying 23 Indian crew members caught fire after a reported drone attack near Sochi in the Black Sea, though all sailors were safely rescued.
- •The cargo vessel MV Royad Mammadov was struck and later sank in Romania's exclusive economic zone, resulting in two deaths and injuring Indian crew members.
- •The Panama-flagged MT On Peace was hit by a projectile off the coast of Oman, injuring 11 Indian sailors who were subsequently evacuated with Omani assistance.
- •The Ministry of External Affairs strongly condemned the attacks on commercial shipping, emphasizing that ongoing conflicts severely undermine global commerce and the safety of seafarers.
Key Questions Answered
Three commercial vessels experienced attacks over 48 hours: the Liberian-flagged Aframax Rio caught fire in the Black Sea with 23 Indian crew members aboard, the MV Royad Mammadov was struck resulting in injuries to Indian sailors, and the Panama-flagged MT On Peace was hit off Oman carrying 17 Indian crew members.
The Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attacks, stating they undermine global commerce and the welfare of people worldwide, while calling for an end to violence and a return to dialogue. Furthermore, India and Liberia launched a 25-nation Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers at the UN General Assembly to strengthen merchant crew protection.
According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India accounts for 12.16 per cent of the worldwide seafarer workforce with 311,936 maritime professionals, making it one of the largest sources of maritime workers globally.
