Indian Seafarers Unaware of 'Dark Ship' Status Amid Geopolitical Tensions

The recent deaths of three Indians on a US-sanctioned ship after a US navy strike and attacks on two more vessels that had Indian sailors on board have brought to light how seafarers are rarely aware about the status of such sanctioned or “dark ships”.

A veteran sailor said that in the current dynamic geo-political situation, it’s almost impossible for any crew to know whether the ship he is boarding would enter ‘non-inclusive zone’ or restricted zone.

“There is a high possibility that you would come to know after half of your voyage that the ship is in a prohibited zone. That’s because when you boarded the ships weeks or months back when it started voyage, there was no conflict. The situation and declaration of war zones happens after conflicts break out as it was in the case of Strait of Hormuz,” he said.

Captain Savio Ramos, general secretary of Maritime Union of India (MUI) said a sailor has the option to seek de-boarding from a ship once it enters the restricted zone and as per norms, the company concerned is bound to send them back to town and most firms have done so and changed crew.

He added that sailors concerned need to decide and take a call.

Louis Gome, vice president of National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) also said that sailors usually don’t come to know about the sanctioned or dark ships because of the complex nature of the trade.

Both NUSI and MUI have taken up the issue of sailors' safety with shipping ministry.

They have urged govt to take it up with International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and ILO to strengthen protective measures for Indian seafarers—in terms of numbers second only to Philippines—deployed in high-risk areas.

NUSI, in its representation, has said the loss of lives onboard Settebello serves as a stark reminder of the serious risks faced by civilian maritime personnel operating in conflict-prone waters.

It said seafarers should never become collateral victims of geopolitical conflicts.

It has sought a high-level investigation into the incidents and assess the safety gaps and operational risks faced by Indian seafarers serving in conflict-prone regions.

NUSI has urged the ministry to review and strengthen India's maritime security advisories, crew deployment policies, and operational guidelines for vessels transiting war-risk and conflict-prone regions.