The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has launched a Seafarer Tracking Module on its e-NAVIK portal, creating a centralised system to monitor Indian seafarers aboard both Indian-flagged and foreign-flagged vessels operating in high-risk maritime zones. The move, formalised through a circular dated 4 September 2026, comes as geopolitical tensions continue to expose thousands of Indian crew members to elevated security risks across multiple international waterways.

Why the Module Was Launched

The DGMA cited heightened maritime security threats in several critical global corridors as the primary trigger. According to the circular, Indian seafarers serving on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, Black Sea, and waters off Somalia face significant exposure to maritime security risks.

The authority stated the module is designed to facilitate timely information sharing, inter-agency coordination, and prompt response in the event of any emergency involving Indian seafarers in these regions. This comes amid confirmed fatalities: according to data shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, 10 Indian seafarers have lost their lives due to the Middle East crisis, and five more have been confirmed dead in the Black Sea region. Notably, the DGMA flagged that after a brief lull, hostilities in the region have resumed.

How the Module Works

The Seafarer Tracking Module is currently operating in its beta version. Once updated by Recruitment and Placement Service Licencees (RPSLs) and shipping companies, it will enable effective monitoring of Indian seafarers globally. The data required includes vessel identification and voyage-related information, details of Indian seafarers onboard, and RPSL particulars where applicable.

For cases where a vessel's position is not known, operators can add the vessel by selecting the relevant geographical region from a drop-down menu, with positional data to be updated as and when it becomes available. Once fully populated, the module will serve as a centralised database of Indian seafarers aboard vessels, particularly those in high-risk zones.

Immediate Obligations for Shipping Companies

The DGMA has directed all RPSLs and Indian shipowners and operators to update the module with immediate effect, prioritising vessels with Indian crew currently operating in the following high-risk areas: the Persian Gulf (west of the Strait of Hormuz), Gulf of Oman (east of the Strait of Hormuz), Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Black Sea. Following the initial update, operators are required to submit daily positional updates and log crew sign-on and sign-off events at regular intervals.

The DGMA has clarified that all positional data uploaded to the module will be treated as confidential and access-controlled, accessible only to authorised personnel through designated login credentials.

Automation on the Horizon

The directorate stated it is actively exploring options to automate the tracking system, reducing the need for manual data entry. Until an automated solution is in place, all stakeholders have been urged to begin updating vessel data immediately. The DGMA's longer-term objective is to extend tracking coverage to Indian seafarers on ships globally, beyond the current focus on high-risk regions.

With the Middle East situation remaining volatile and Black Sea risks persisting, the module represents a significant step toward a structured emergency response framework for India's maritime workforce.