Indian Seafarers in Persian Gulf Crisis: Flags of Convenience and Maritime Security Concerns

Tensions in the Persian Gulf escalated after U.S. missile strikes on merchant vessels carrying Indian crew members.

• Three merchant vessels carrying Indian crew, Marivex, Settebello, and Jalveer were struck by U.S. forces in the Gulf region in June 2026.
• Three Indian seafarers were killed aboard Settebello, while missile strikes damaged the ships’ engine rooms and steering systems, leaving them unable to manoeuvre.
• The U.S. justified the attacks by alleging violations of sanctions and transportation of Iranian oil, whereas ship operators denied any links to Iranian oil and disputed the allegations.
• The incident exposed the vulnerability of Indian seafarers in conflict-prone maritime zones and reignited concerns over their safety on vessels operating under Flags of Convenience (FOCs).

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Flags of Convenience (FOCs)

• Flags of Convenience (FOCs) refer to the practice of registering a ship in a country different from the nationality of its owner to benefit from lower taxes, lighter regulations, and lower operating costs.
• Major FOC Countries: Common FOC registries include Panama, Liberia, and Marshall Islands which host large numbers of foreign-owned vessels.
• Advantages: FOCs often provide operational flexibility and reduced compliance costs, making them popular in global merchant shipping.
• Concerns: FOCs can create accountability and oversight challenges, as the flag state may have limited capacity to monitor safety, labour standards, and environmental compliance.

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India’s Maritime Security Initiatives

• Operation Sankalp: It is an ongoing maritime security initiative launched by the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe passage of Indian merchant vessels and protect maritime trade amid regional tensions.
• Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR): Established in 2018 at Gurugram by the Indian Navy to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) through real-time information sharing with partner countries and maritime agencies.
• SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region): India’s maritime vision for a safe, secure, and stable Indian Ocean Region (IOR) through cooperation, capacity building, and collective security.

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