Overview: Indian seafarers have long been the backbone of global shipping. Recent incidents – the US attack on three Iranian‑linked ships that killed three Indian crew members and the UK arrest of an Indian captain on a Russian‑linked vessel – have thrust their safety and legal status into the spotlight.
Key Developments
- US forces attacked three vessels alleged to carry sanctioned Iranian cargo; three Indian seafarers were killed.
- The UK detained a vessel in the English Channel, claiming it was under Western sanctions; the Indian captain was arrested despite the ship’s ambiguous registration.
- Both events raise the question of whether India should restrict its citizens from serving on sanctioned ships.
Important Facts
- Shipping moves about 90% of global trade by volume. The 2021 Ever Given blockage of the Suez Canal delayed hundreds of ships and affected roughly 20% of seaborne trade.
- The Strait of Hormuz transports 25% of fossil fuels and 20% of LNG, crucial for India which imports over 85% of its energy by sea.
- Globally there are about 1.8 million seafarers; India registers over 5 lakh of them, with 3.2 lakh active, accounting for roughly one‑fifth of the world’s maritime workforce.
- Foreign‑exchange earnings from Indian seafarers are estimated at $6‑9 billion annually.
- Two categories of sanctions exist: UN sanctions (binding) and