MUMBAI — Every day, Indian seafarers navigate some of the world’s most dangerous waters to keep global oil supplies flowing, operating under the constant threat of missile strikes, shadowing by Iranian patrol boats, and the psychological strain of knowing a single attack could turn their supertankers into floating infernos. Their accounts, shared in recent interviews, reveal a hidden human cost to the energy security that powers economies from Europe to East Asia—and raise urgent questions about whether governments and corporations are doing enough to protect the workers who sustain this critical supply chain.
What Happened
Indian sailors who have steered supertankers through the Strait of Hormuz—a 21-mile-wide chokepoint that carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil—describe a daily routine defined by extreme risk. In interviews with NDTV, seafarers detailed the physical and psychological toll of operating in a region where geopolitical tensions between Iran and Western-aligned Gulf states have turned routine transits into high-stakes gambles.
A 38-year-old chief officer from Kerala, who has made 12 transits through the strait in the past two years, said the threat of a catastrophic strike looms over every voyage. “One direct hit on a fully loaded supertanker would create an inferno that no crew could survive,” he said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to company policies prohibiting media contact. “We’re trained for fires and piracy, but nothing prepares you for the possibility of being vaporized in seconds.”
His concerns are not hypothetical. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) reported 12 attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region in 2025, up from eight the previous year. While no supertankers have been struck by missiles since the 2022 attack on the MT Mercer Street, security analysts warn that modern anti-ship missiles—capable of penetrating even double-hulled vessels—pose an existential threat to crews transporting volatile crude oil.
The risks extend beyond missile strikes. Indian seafarers described a litany of operational hazards:
– Navigation challenges: The strait’s narrow shipping lanes force supertankers to pass within three miles of Iranian territorial waters, where fast-attack craft frequently shadow vessels, sometimes approaching within 500 meters. A 26-year-old deck cadet from Mumbai recounted sleepless nights spent monitoring these patrols, caught between orders to “maintain course” and the unspoken rule to “not provoke” Iranian forces.
– Fatigue and overwork: Crews work 12-hour shifts monitoring radar for potential threats while maintaining engine systems that must operate continuously for weeks. The physical and mental strain is compounded by the knowledge that a single mistake—such as a misjudged turn or delayed response to a mechanical failure—could have catastrophic consequences.
– Limited escape routes: A disabled supertanker in the strait’s main channel could block all maritime traffic within hours, triggering a global energy crisis. The lack of alternative routes means crews must rely on split-second decision-making to avoid collisions or groundings in waters where a single error could strand a vessel for days.
Despite these risks, the Indian government’s Directorate General of Shipping has not issued specific safety advisories for the Strait of Hormuz since 2024, when it recommended “heightened vigilance” without mandating additional security measures. The Maritime Union of India estimates that 8,000 Indian nationals are currently serving on tankers operating in the Gulf region, making them one of the largest contingents of seafarers in the area.
Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz is not just a shipping lane; it is a linchpin of global energy security. Approximately 21 million barrels of oil pass through the strait daily, supplying markets in China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Europe. While major importers have diversified supply routes since the Ukraine war disrupted alternative shipping lanes in 2022-23, the strait’s closure would still trigger immediate price spikes and supply disruptions. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that even a temporary blockage could send oil prices soaring by 20-30% within days, with ripple effects across global economies.
Yet the human cost of maintaining this supply chain is often overlooked in energy security discussions, which tend to focus on geopolitical maneuvering, market dynamics, and strategic reserves. The accounts from Indian sailors underscore a grim reality: the workers who keep the system running are operating with minimal protections, outdated safety protocols, and little recourse if disaster strikes.
Captain Sanjay Prasad, former president of the Maritime Association of India, framed the issue in stark terms: “These sailors are the invisible backbone of global energy security. Their working conditions have deteriorated significantly since the Ukraine war disrupted alternative shipping routes, yet their safety remains an afterthought in policy discussions.”
The lack of government-mandated security protocols for Indian-flagged vessels in the region is particularly glaring. Unlike the European Union, which has deployed naval escorts for its tankers in high-risk areas, India has relied on private security contractors and diplomatic channels to ensure safe passage. This approach leaves seafarers vulnerable to the whims of regional tensions, with little institutional support if an attack occurs.
Background and Context
The Strait of Hormuz has long been a flashpoint in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran, which controls the northern shore of the strait, has repeatedly threatened to close it in response to Western sanctions or military actions. In 2019, Iran seized a British-flagged tanker in the strait, escalating tensions with the UK and its allies. While no major missile strikes on supertankers have occurred since the 2022 attack on the MT Mercer Street—a Liberian-flagged vessel operated by an Israeli-owned company—the threat remains ever-present.
For Indian seafarers, the risks are compounded by their outsized role in the global maritime workforce. India supplies nearly 10% of the world’s seafarers, with many employed on tankers and cargo ships operating in high-risk regions. The country’s maritime training institutes produce thousands of certified sailors annually, but the industry’s reliance on Indian labor has not translated into stronger protections for workers in conflict zones.
The psychological toll of operating in the strait is severe. A 2025 study by the Seafarers’ International Research Centre (SIRC) found that 68% of Indian seafarers serving in the Gulf reported symptoms of anxiety or post-traumatic stress, compared to 42% of seafarers in other regions. The study attributed the higher rates to the “constant threat of attack, lack of control over their environment, and the knowledge that a single incident could be fatal.”
Despite these findings, maritime labor protections have not kept pace with the evolving threats. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency responsible for shipping safety, has issued general guidelines for operating in high-risk areas but has not mandated specific security measures for the Strait of Hormuz. Flag states—countries where ships are registered—are left to determine their own safety protocols, leading to a patchwork of standards that often prioritize commercial interests over crew welfare.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The accounts from Indian sailors paint a picture of a region where the line between routine transit and potential disaster is perilously thin. However, the risks are not uniformly acknowledged by all stakeholders.
Government and Industry Perspectives
Indian government officials have downplayed the immediate threat to seafarers, emphasizing that no Indian-flagged vessels have been attacked in the strait in recent years. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways told NDTV in a statement that “the safety of Indian seafarers is a top priority” and that the government “regularly engages with regional partners to ensure secure passage.” The statement did not address why no new safety advisories have been issued since 2024.
Shipping companies, meanwhile, argue that the risks are manageable with existing protocols. A representative of the Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) said that “modern tankers are equipped with advanced radar and evasion systems” and that “crews receive regular training in threat assessment.” However, the representative acknowledged that “no system is foolproof” and that “the ultimate responsibility for safety lies with the flag state.”
Security Analysts and Labor Advocates
Independent security analysts offer a more sobering assessment. Dr. C. Raja Mohan, a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, warned that the Strait of Hormuz remains “one of the most vulnerable chokepoints in global trade” due to the “asymmetry of power” between Iran and commercial shipping. “Iran has the capability to disrupt traffic at will, and no amount of private security can fully mitigate that risk,” he said.
Labor advocates argue that the lack of government intervention has left seafarers exposed. Abdulgani Serang, general secretary of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), said that “the current approach is reactive, not proactive.” He called for mandatory naval escorts for Indian-flagged vessels in the strait, similar to those provided by the EU, and for the Indian government to “take a leadership role in pushing for stronger international protections.”
Iran’s Stance
Iran has consistently denied targeting commercial shipping, framing its military presence in the strait as a defensive measure. In a 2025 statement, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that its patrols are “necessary to protect national sovereignty” and that “commercial vessels have nothing to fear if they respect Iranian territorial waters.” However, the IRGC has also warned that it will “respond decisively” to any perceived threats, a stance that keeps tensions high.
The ambiguity of Iran’s intentions adds another layer of uncertainty for seafarers. A 2026 report by the International Crisis Group noted that “Iran’s strategy in the strait is deliberately opaque, blending deterrence with provocation to keep adversaries off-balance.” This unpredictability forces crews to operate in a state of constant vigilance, never knowing whether a routine transit might escalate into a confrontation.
What to Watch Next
The coming months could bring significant developments that either mitigate or exacerbate the risks faced by Indian seafarers in the Strait of Hormuz.
1. Indian Government’s Next Move
The Directorate General of Shipping is expected to review its safety protocols for the strait in late 2026. Labor unions and maritime associations are lobbying for mandatory security measures, including:
– Naval escorts for Indian-flagged vessels during high-risk periods.
– Enhanced training programs focused on missile evasion and emergency response.
– A dedicated hotline for seafarers to report threats in real time.
Whether the government will act remains uncertain, but the pressure is growing. Captain Prasad of the Maritime Association of India said that “the status quo is unsustainable” and that “a single major incident could force a policy shift.”
2. Regional Tensions and Diplomatic Efforts
The trajectory of Iran’s relations with the West and Gulf states will be critical. Any escalation—such as a new round of sanctions, a military strike, or an Iranian provocation—could turn the strait into a battleground. Conversely, diplomatic breakthroughs, such as a revival of the 2015 nuclear deal or a regional security pact, could reduce tensions and lower the risk to commercial shipping.
India, which has historically maintained a balancing act between Iran and Western powers, could play a mediating role. However, its leverage is limited, and its primary concern remains ensuring the uninterrupted flow of oil—a priority that may not align with the safety of individual seafarers.
3. Technological and Operational Adaptations
Shipping companies are exploring technological solutions to mitigate risks, including:
– AI-powered threat detection: Some tankers are now equipped with systems that use machine learning to identify and track potential threats, such as fast-attack craft or drones.
– Remote monitoring: Companies are increasingly using shore-based teams to monitor vessels in real time, allowing for faster response to emerging threats.
– Alternative routes: While the Strait of Hormuz remains indispensable, some companies are investing in pipelines and overland
Corrections
If you believe this article contains an error, contact Herald Express with the source URL and supporting evidence.
Story synopsis gathered from: NDTV – India News — source.
