NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed ship owners, ship managers and Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) companies not to deploy Indian seafarers on vessels sailing through the Strait of Hormuz until further notice, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf.The advisory, according to news agency IANS, follows a sharp rise in attacks on commercial vessels operating in and around the strategically vital waterway, raising concerns over the safety of Indian crew members serving on international ships.In a post on X, the maritime regulator said the decision had been taken to protect the safety, security and welfare of Indian seafarers as hostilities in the region continue to intensify.The DGMA noted that several merchant vessels, including Mombasa B, Al Bahyah, GFS Galaxy, MT WEDYAN and AL REKAYYAT, have recently come under attack, highlighting the growing risks to commercial shipping and crews transiting the area.Besides restricting fresh deployment of Indian seafarers, the regulator instructed masters of vessels operating in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters to remain on high alert. They have been asked to closely monitor navigational and security advisories and ensure full compliance with Ship Security Plans and the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.The advisory also asked seafarers and vessels requiring urgent assistance to immediately contact the DG Communication Centre (MMDAC) or the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).The DGMA said it is continuously monitoring developments in the Gulf and remains committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers.The precautionary directive comes as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following fresh US strikes on Iranian military installations, fuelling fears of a broader regional conflict and further disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s busiest maritime trade routes.According to reports, the United States targeted Iran’s coastal defence and missile facilities on Wednesday after reimposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports. Tehran responded by warning that it could further restrict regional energy exports, saying it was fighting what it described as an existential war with the United States.