US-Iran War: The Indian government said on Thursday that the number of Indian vessels operating in the Persian Gulf remains unchanged. As many as 28 Indian vessels with 778 sailors on board are stranded in the Persian Gulf, a government official said on Wednesday, repeating what he said a day earlier.
“The number of Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf remains unchanged,” Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, told reporters at a briefing on Thursday.
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“Yesterday number was 28, today it remains 28,” Sinha said.
“Out of these 28, 24 are in the west of the Strait of Hormuz which has 677 Indian sailors and four vessels are in the east of the strait with 101 Indian sailors on board,” Sinha said.
All Indian vessels and their crew are actively monitored for their safety and security, he said.
Earlier, a report by Reuters and Indian news agencies said that at least two Indian tankers, the “Pushpak” and the “Parimal”, were safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz, even as ships from the US, Europe and Israel continued to face restrictions on the strategically important waterway. But Iran has denied reports that it has allowed Indian-flagged tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid a worsening global energy crisis, Reuters reported.
What happened to Pushpak and Parimal?
Pushpak and Parimal are believed to have crossed the Strait of Hormuz between 6 and 7 March. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi at least three times since the conflict began on February 28. And it was during the latest conversation on Tuesday, March 10, that the two discussed issues related to shipping security, according to officials.
“External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Foreign Minister of Iran have had three talks in the last few days. The latter discussed issues related to India’s shipping security and energy security. Apart from that, it would be premature for me to say anything,” he said. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this on Thursday.
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An Indian-led Liberian-flagged tanker carrying Saudi oil also cleared the Strait of Hormuz and docked at the Mumbai port two days ago. It became the first vessel destined for India to safely pass through the waterway, where sea traffic has come to a near standstill since the US-Israeli attack on Iran.
Earlier, the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) naval force said that vessels wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must obtain Iran’s approval.
Shipping ministry officials say the government continues to closely monitor the prevailing and evolving maritime situation in the Persian Gulf region and has strengthened surveillance and preparedness measures in view of the evolving maritime situation in the West Asia region to ensure the safety of Indian vessels and seafarers.
Regular interaction with the industry and stakeholders is underway to provide all assistance to the industry and seafarers, news agencies said.
The Directorate General of Shipping has issued an advisory directing all Indian-flagged vessels and Indian seafarers to take heightened security measures and strictly follow reporting protocols, including real-time transmission of details.
On Wednesday, Sinha further said that port operations across India remain stable. Major ports have implemented operational measures, including continuous monitoring of vessel movements in coordination with shipping lines and vessel representatives, real-time assessment of developments in the region, and regular reporting of vessel and cargo status.
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The Directorate General of Shipping also maintains contact with ship owners, operators and seafarers’ assemblies to provide timely updates and necessary assistance.
Ports have been directed to extend all necessary assistance to minimize hardships faced by exporters and ensure continuity of EXIM trade.
It’s been 13 days since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, reducing shipping and sending global oil prices soaring.
The number of Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf remains unchanged.
Iran has tightened its restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing US-Israeli strikes. Tehran has said vessels that do not serve the interests of the United States and Israel can pass through safely.
