Key facts
- Over 23,000 Indian seafarers were stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the US.
- Two Indian sailors died in a missile attack on the tanker Skylight on March 1.
- The Strait of Hormuz is expected to partially reopen on Friday under a 60-day US-Iran memorandum of understanding.
- The Indian Navy escorted stranded Indian crews out of the high-risk zone.
- India's government has implemented increased security measures and established a Quick Response Team for affected sailors.
The partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil and gas, offers cautious relief to Indian seafarers who were trapped for weeks during the conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States. The strait was closed to enemy ships after Iran faced strikes on its nuclear sites and leadership, halting traffic and leaving thousands of Indian sailors stranded on vessels carrying crude oil, LPG, and other cargo.
Captain Raman Kapoor recounted the harrowing experience of being trapped for 75 days in the war zone, describing the fear and helplessness felt by him and his 24 crew members. Tragically, two Indian sailors, Captain Ashish Kumar and Dalip Singh, lost their lives in a missile attack on the Palau-flagged tanker Skylight on March 1, while 17 others were rescued. Families of the affected sailors are anxiously awaiting their return, with government helplines established to provide support.
In response to the crisis, India's Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal convened a meeting and established a Quick Response Team. Ships are now required to report hourly, an increase from every six hours, and are operating under Level-3 security. The Directorate General of Shipping is maintaining constant communication with crews and shipping firms. Iran has warned it will target US, Israeli, or allied ships but indicated that others may proceed freely.
The Indian Navy has since escorted stranded crews, including those on an LPG carrier bound for India, out of the high-risk zone. Sailors described the experience of heavy exchanges of fire and missiles falling near their vessels while continuing their duties. The situation highlights the ongoing risks to maritime trade and sailor safety in the region, even as diplomatic efforts aim to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.