The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a fresh advisory urging Indian nationals to exercise utmost caution before accepting jobs on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea region. The ministry said the security situation remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict, with merchant ships increasingly exposed to missile and drone attacks.
The advisory follows a series of attacks on commercial vessels that have claimed the lives of five Indian seafarers since April 2026. The MEA has urged prospective employees to carefully assess the risks associated with such assignments before signing up for work in the region.
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Indian seafarers have been advised to obtain detailed information from employers, recruitment agencies and ship operators about the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, security measures, insurance coverage and emergency response procedures. They have also been asked to ensure their employment contracts comply with international maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in case of emergencies.
The MEA further urged Indian nationals to regularly follow advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), the government and other competent maritime authorities. Those requiring assistance have been advised to contact the nearest Indian Embassy or Consulate through the emergency helplines provided by the ministry.
