The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals to carefully assess the security risks before accepting employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected Black Sea region, citing a sharp rise in missile and drone attacks that has claimed the lives of five Indian seafarers since April this year.
The advisory comes against the backdrop of the continuing conflict in and around the Black Sea, where commercial shipping has increasingly come under attack, posing serious risks to merchant vessels and their crews.
“The security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict,” the MEA said. “Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks.”
The Ministry noted that attacks on commercial vessels had increased since April 2026 and said these incidents had “resulted in the tragic loss of 5 Indian lives.”
Advising Indian nationals to exercise extreme caution, the MEA said those considering employment on ships operating in the conflict-affected region should first obtain comprehensive 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.
The Ministry also stressed that seafarers should ensure their employment contracts comply with applicable international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of emergencies.
In addition, the advisory urged Indian nationals to keep their family members informed of their travel itinerary and maintain regular contact throughout their voyage.
The MEA further advised seafarers to regularly monitor and comply with advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration and other relevant Government of India authorities, as well as safety instructions issued by vessel operators and competent maritime authorities.
“In particular, Indian nationals are advised to refer to the recent Security Advisory issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, on 23 July 2026,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry also appealed to Indian nationals requiring assistance to remain in touch with Indian diplomatic missions in the region. It advised those needing consular support to contact the Embassy of India in Russia or the Embassy of India in Ukraine through the emergency numbers provided in the advisory.
India has one of the world’s largest pools of merchant navy personnel, with thousands of Indian seafarers serving on international commercial vessels across global shipping routes. The latest advisory underscores the growing risks faced by civilian shipping in conflict zones and reiterates the government’s appeal for Indian nationals to make informed decisions before accepting assignments in high-risk maritime areas.