New Delhi

Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director of Shipping in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said on Wednesday that all Indian seafarers in the West Asia region remain safe, with no reports of incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels in the past 48 hours.

Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Sharma noted that the government has facilitated the return of over 2,999 Indian seafarers so far, including 23 repatriations in the last two days from the Gulf region. He added that authorities are maintaining close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety of personnel and continuity of shipping operations.

Sharma also highlighted the role of the Directorate General of Shipping’s control room, which has handled more than 8,500 calls and over 18,700 emails, including hundreds received in the last 48 hours. He confirmed that there have been no incidents reported even on foreign-flagged ships carrying Indian crew members, and that port operations across India remain stable without congestion.

On global developments, Sharma refrained from commenting directly on statements made by Marco Rubio regarding the US operation “Epic Fury” and the evolving ceasefire situation. He emphasised that India is closely monitoring the situation through a coordinated, whole-of-government approach.

Providing an update on maritime movement, Sharma said that 11 vessels carrying Indian cargo—10 of them Indian-flagged—have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz. The latest vessel, Sarvashakti, crossed on May 2 and is expected to reach New Mangalore by May 8. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe and timely movement of remaining ships in the region.

He further noted improvements in port conditions within India, stating that congestion has eased significantly. Port occupancy has dropped from around 80 percent to 60 percent, while container backlogs have nearly been eliminated.

To maintain trade flows, alternate shipping routes have been activated with major global shipping companies such as CMA CGM, Unifeeder, and Maersk. These routes connect Indian ports like JNPA, Mundra, and Hazira to key Gulf ports including Sohar, Al Fujairah, and Khor Fakkan, ensuring continued cargo movement.

Sharma acknowledged that while there is no direct alternative route equivalent to the Strait of Hormuz, coordinated efforts by the government and industry are helping sustain trade and avoid disruptions. He also mentioned that Indian-flagged vessels continue to be chartered by oil companies, though their number remains dynamic.

READ MORE: Shah Taj Khan: The scribe who brought Science fiction to Urdu

Meanwhile, earlier remarks by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio underlined that the United States would prioritise its national interests and maintain a defensive military posture, asserting that force would only be used in response to provocation.