The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has come out with advisories that include varied reporting protocols for ships coming into Indian waters, mandatory security drills, and an increased presence of the Navy. It has expressed concern over the escalation of tension in West Asia, triggered by Iran’s attack on Israel, raising the possibility of interlinked incidents such as piracy and a 15-30 per cent increase in freight rates on the key shipping route.
The maritime sensitive regions identified by the government include the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman, the Gulf of Aden, the Bal-al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea, the Somali Basin, and the Arabian Sea. In case of a security incident, the communication protocol requires contacting the nearest Indian Navy vessel or an international warship. Other protocols include informing the UK Maritime Trade Operations and other designated agencies and organisations, as per a report.
Source: Exim News Service: New Delhi, April 17