India has instructed shipowners, ship managers, and recruitment agencies to halt the deployment of Indian seafarers on vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
The directive comes amid a sharp escalation in hostilities in the region, which has led to increased attacks on commercial shipping traffic.
The move introduces a significant operational constraint for the global shipping industry, given India’s status as the world’s largest supplier of seafarers.
With crew availability already strained by geopolitical tensions, the ban threatens to exacerbate delays and increase insurance premiums for tankers and bulk carriers attempting to transit the chokepoint.
Market participants are likely to factor this labor risk into freight rate calculations and route planning.
This development follows New Delhi’s formal protest to Iran regarding recent strikes on Indian merchant vessels in the strait.