For over two weeks, a group of Indian seafarers has found themselves stranded at the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, caught in the crossfire of escalating regional tensions. Among them is 26-year-old Ambuj, a merchant sailor who has not seen his family for six long months and is desperate to return home. The situation has become increasingly perilous as drones and missile strikes have set nearby vessels ablaze, heightening fears among crews navigating these volatile waters.
Ambuj, who requested anonymity for security reasons, represents a significant portion of the Indian maritime workforce—approximately 23,000 sailors currently employed on merchant, harbor, and offshore vessels throughout the Gulf region. This area has become a hotspot amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with the Strait of Hormuz serving as a critical but dangerous chokepoint for maritime traffic. Hundreds of tankers and cargo ships remain anchored, awaiting clearance to pass through the strait, which has witnessed deadly attacks resulting in the deaths of three Indian crew members and one reported missing.
The predicament faced by these Indian sailors has sparked concern back home, prompting the Indian government to actively engage with multiple authorities, including Iranian officials, to secure their safety. Speaking from his ship, Ambuj described the precariousness of their situation: “Navigating these waters without naval escort or proper authorization is extremely risky,” he said. Currently, he and 15 other crew members are confined to their vessel, surrounded by a flotilla of over 50 ships in the harbor. Their employer has officially released them from duty, but with commercial flights from Tehran suspended, they remain stranded, hoping for permission to sail to a safer port where they can catch a flight back to India.
The tension escalated in early March when the ship’s captain received a stern warning via wireless communication from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cautioning that attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz could have severe consequences. The crew initially held out hope for clearance to proceed, but as days passed without any authorization, they began to grapple with the reality that their wait could extend for weeks or even longer. This uncertainty weighs heavily on the sailors, who are eager to reunite with their families after extended periods at sea.
India is recognized as the world’s third-largest supplier of seafarers, with over 300,000 Indian sailors employed across international shipping fleets. The Gulf region, a vital artery for global oil and trade shipments, heavily relies on these skilled workers. However, the intensifying conflict has disrupted normal operations, exposing these crews to unprecedented risks.
Adding to the anxiety, M. Kanta, another Indian crew member aboard a vessel bound for India, recounted the unnerving presence of drones and fighter jets overhead. The crew’s fears were compounded when Iranian authorities ordered the disconnection of their Starlink internet service in early March, cutting off a crucial line of communication. “There were sirens blaring, and we witnessed a distant ship engulfed in flames. Wireless warnings kept coming in,” Kanta explained. Fortunately, permission to restore Starlink was granted after March 6, allowing the crew to reconnect with their families and receive verified updates, though the sight of drones and fighter jets continues to unsettle them.
For security reasons, Kanta and other crew members have been instructed not to disclose specific details about their vessels or exact locations. Another sailor, who preferred to remain unnamed, shared his harrowing experience aboard a ship carrying bitumen and crude oil destined for a South Asian country. Just a few nautical miles from the strait, he witnessed a drone strike hit a nearby ship, an event that has left the crew on edge. “Identifying aircraft and drones has become a grim pastime. Sleep is elusive, and anxiety is constant,” he said.
In a rare positive development, Iran recently permitted two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas carriers to transit the Strait of Hormuz safely. Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, has also assured that Indian vessels will be granted safe passage amid the ongoing turmoil. While these assurances offer some relief, the broader situation remains tense, and the fate of many Indian sailors stranded in the region hangs in the balance as diplomatic efforts continue.
