Government Assures Safety of Indian Ships in Gulf

Government Assures Safety of Indian Seafarers in Gulf Region

The government announced on Tuesday that there have been no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels in the Gulf region over the past 24 hours. All Indian seafarers in the area remain safe amid ongoing regional tensions.

Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on developments in West Asia, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, provided an update on port operations across India. Mangal stated that port operations are functioning normally, with congestion levels easing significantly after earlier disruptions linked to the conflict.

The situation has improved substantially in recent weeks. On the western coast, two major ports had about 3,383 "back to town" containers on March 8. This number fell to just 99 by March 19, representing a decline of nearly 97%.

Read also: 60 Minutes' Future Under Scrutiny Amid CBS News Turmoil

Mangal credited the improvement to coordinated efforts by port authorities and policy support measures, including waivers on demurrage and additional storage charges, which helped ease pressure on exporters. These measures provided significant relief to exporters by waiving demurrage and extra rent.

Maritime movement through key routes is also showing signs of stabilisation. Since February 28, nine LPG vessels and one crude oil tanker have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, indicating gradual normalisation of shipping traffic in the region.