The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory on Sunday, July 26, 2026, urging Indian nationals to carefully assess security risks before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected Black Sea region. According to the latest advisory, the security situation remains highly volatile due to ongoing conflict, with commercial vessels facing significant threats including missile and drone attacks. The MEA specifically cited the sharp rise in attacks on merchant ships and the tragic loss of five Indian lives since April 2026. The advisory specifically referred seafarers to the security advisory issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) on July 23, 2026. The DGMA issued a strong caution for vessels operating in the Black Sea following recent attacks that tragically claimed the lives of five Indian seafarers, with the advisory coming days after five Indians were killed in attacks on two commercial vessels in the Black Sea region in the last week.
Since April 2026, there have been ten attacks involving Indian seafarers onboard foreign flag ships in the Black Sea region. As reported by The Indian Awaaz, the most significant incident occurred on July 19, 2026, when the vessel MV GOLDEN LEO was struck by multiple missiles while departing the Port of Odesa, Ukraine. The attack resulted in ten casualties, of whom four Indians are presumed dead, with the vessel having five Indian seafarers onboard at the time. The DGMA specifically noted that attacks on commercial vessels have increased, prompting this urgent maritime safety directive. The MEA advisory emphasized that there has been an increase in attacks on commercial vessels since April 2026, resulting in the tragic loss of five Indian lives. Additionally, the DGMA reported that recent attacks on flagged tankers MT Asia, MT Louise-1, and MT Nelsa near Novorossiya, Russia, resulted in damage to the vessels, with seafarers, including Indian seafarers, having to leave their positions due to the attacks.
The MEA has issued comprehensive guidelines for Indian nationals considering employment on Black Sea vessels, advising them to obtain detailed information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators about the vessel's intended route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage and emergency response procedures before accepting assignments. The advisory specifically urged seafarers to ensure that their employment contracts comply with applicable international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of an emergency. The DGMA has now advised all Indian-flagged and foreign vessels with Indian seafarers to exercise the highest degree of caution while operating in the Black Sea and undertake voyage-specific security risk assessments before entering the affected region. Indian nationals are advised to keep their family members informed of their travel itinerary and maintain regular communication while serving onboard, with the MEA sharing emergency helpline numbers for the Embassy of India in Russia (+7 9652773414) and the Embassy of India in Ukraine (+38 0933559958) for assistance.
The MEA advisory emphasizes that Indian seafarers should regularly monitor and comply with advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), other Government of India authorities, vessel operators and competent maritime authorities. As reported by The Indian Awaaz, the ministry specifically advised Indian nationals requiring consular assistance to immediately contact the nearest Indian diplomatic mission in the region. The DGMA has advised Indian seafarers to continuously monitor and comply with advisories issued by this Directorate or other government departments. The advisory comes as the security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to ongoing conflict, with commercial vessels facing significant threats including missile and drone attacks that have forced seafarers to leave their positions due to the security situation.
