Our Bureau
New Delhi
The government has safely brought back 289 Indian sailors from the Gulf amid the raging Iran-Israel war. This quick action shows India’s strong support for its workers at sea.
The Directorate General of Shipping led the effort. They helped return 286 sailors so far, with 33 coming home in the last two days. A special control room got over 3,000 calls and 5,400 emails from worried families and ship owners.
All Indian sailors in the area are safe now. No attacks hit Indian ships in the recent past. Still, 22 Indian flagged ships with 611 crew stay west of the Persian Gulf. The team watches them closely with ship owners and Indian embassies.
Ports across India help too. They cut fees for storage and docking to ease cargo delays. Jawaharlal Nehru Port gives full rebates on rent and power for Middle East goods. This stops jams and keeps trade going.
The war started weeks ago with big US-Israel strikes on Iran. Explosions hit cities like Hamadan and Tehran. Iran fights back with missiles on Israel. Gulf trade faces big risks from drone attacks and ship threats.
India set up a quick response team early on. It works with customs and ports for fast help. Earlier tanker blasts killed some Indian sailors near Oman, pushing faster rescues.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways says trade flows without big stops. No port congestion reported. India balances sailor safety and business needs well.
