New Delhi, July 26, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday issued an advisory urging Indian nationals planning to take employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea region to carefully evaluate the security risks before accepting such assignments.
The MEA said the security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict, with commercial vessels facing serious threats, including missile and drone attacks.
“Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks. Since April 2026, there has been an increase in the number of such incidents on commercial vessels, which has also resulted in the tragic loss of five Indian lives,” the ministry said.
The advisory asked Indian nationals who choose to work on such vessels to obtain detailed information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage and emergency response procedures.
The MEA also advised them to ensure that employment terms comply with international maritime standards and include adequate provisions for medical assistance, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in case of emergencies. It further asked workers to keep their families informed about their travel plans and maintain regular communication.
The ministry urged Indian nationals to follow advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration and other relevant government authorities, along with safety instructions issued by vessel operators and maritime agencies.
The advisory comes after recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea that resulted in the deaths of Indian crew members. The MEA had earlier confirmed that one Indian national was killed in an attack on the commercial vessel MV OMORFI on July 18, while two other Indians onboard were reported safe.
The ministry had also condemned attacks targeting commercial shipping and called for ensuring the safety of maritime navigation and uninterrupted global trade.
Earlier in the week, four Indian nationals were killed in an attack on the commercial vessel MV Golden Leopard departing from Odesa port in Ukraine.
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