New Delhi, March 21 (NationPress) The maritime sector is functioning efficiently, with no reports of congestion at ports, confirmed the government on Saturday. They emphasized staying in constant communication with state maritime boards and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of seafarers and to maintain uninterrupted maritime trade along with port operations.

Essential measures have been implemented to protect Indian vessels and crew operating within the Strait of Hormuz region.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is actively monitoring shipping activities, port operations, and the safety of Indian seafarers while ensuring the continuity of maritime trade.

“All Indian seafarers currently in the region are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the last 24 hours,” stated the ministry.

There are 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 Indian seafarers present in the western Persian Gulf. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely tracking the situation in collaboration with ship owners, RPSL agencies, and Indian Missions.

“In one reported incident, an Indian seafarer, the Master of the Panama-flagged vessel ASP Avana, sadly passed away on March 18, 2026; DG Shipping is working with the Indian Mission in the UAE to provide full support to the family,” the ministry noted.

The DG Shipping Control Room has received 3,670 calls and 6,929 emails since its activation, including 120 calls and 181 emails in the last 24 hours.

So far, more than 534 Indian seafarers have been successfully repatriated, with 21 returning in the last 24 hours, according to ministry reports.

Additionally, Indian Missions and Posts remain actively engaged with the Indian community, providing assistance and issuing necessary advisories for their safety and well-being.

The Ministry of External Affairs is vigilantly monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, prioritizing the safety, security, and welfare of the Indian community; a dedicated 24x7 control room is operational, and coordination efforts are ongoing with State Governments and UTs.

Since February 28, approximately 3.3 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region.

Furthermore, 15 Indian crew members from MT Safesea Vishnu have safely returned to India from Iraq.

“Today, around 90 flights are expected to operate from the UAE, with ongoing flights from Saudi Arabia and Oman, while Qatar is managing 8–10 non-scheduled flights due to the partial reopening of its airspace,” the government added.