New Delhi: With tensions flaring in West Asia, at least 37 Indian-flagged ships, along with 1,109 crew members, are stuck in the region around the Strait of Hormuz, sparking safety and potential trade worries for India.
These ships are located in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, with some ships awaiting cargo and some already fully loaded. In a statement, the Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) confirmed the presence of the ships and sought government intervention in the issue.
“We understand that about 37 Indian-flagged ships are in the region while servicing the needs of the nation, some waiting to load and others in laden condition. These vessels are on both sides of the Hormuz Straits. Indian ships have Indian seafarers on board."
The shipping body has requested the Indian government to assist the Indian ships in obtaining safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, while highlighting the need to take collective action to protect Indian sailors, commercial interests, and supply chains, especially oil.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced on March 2 that it had effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic and threatened to attack any ship that tries to pass through this critical shipping chokepoint, a situation that has already resulted in a significant decrease in ship traffic through this critical shipping route because of the Middle East conflict.
Indians stranded in UAE return homeIndian passengers who had been stranded in the UAE arrived at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru this week. Many recalled the tension in Abu Dhabi, describing missile alerts and abrupt flight cancellations before finally landing in Bengaluru. Another group of 25 people from Maharashtra, stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, safely reached Kolhapur on March 3. In a gesture of support, the Dubai administration provided each passenger with Rs 26,000. Earlier this week, a special flight carrying around 200 passengers from Jeddah landed at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. |
