Stranded vessels running out of fresh water, food

With the West Asia war continuing to fester, some of the merchant vessels stranded near the Strait of Hormuz are close to running out of fresh water and food provisions, and India’s maritime regulator has pushed ship managers and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate immediate supplies to them, according to people in the know.

- DHRUVAKSH SAHA

India’s maritime authority, the Directorate General (DG) of Shipping, has informed the shipping industry about the situation on the high seas as part of a broader note taking stock of the impact of the West Asia crisis on the sector. Importantly, the authority has also estimated a major spike in freight and insurance rates, a likely pan-Asian shortage of containers, and major shocks to India’s maritime trade and energy security.

“Reports have been received from a few vessels indicating that fresh water and provisions have reached critically low levels. Ship managers and relevant authorities have been advised to arrange urgent replenishment, as the existing supplies may not be sufficient if delays continue for a few more days,” said a person in know of the DG Shipping's communiqué.

Executives of three industry associations, on condition of anonymity, confirmed receiving the DG Shipping note, wherein it has also sought inputs from the industry on the evolving situation.

The regulator and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways did not respond to this paper’s queries emailed on Friday.

At an inter-ministerial briefing, the government said all Indian seafarers in the region are safe and DG Shipping is closely monitoring in coordination with ship owners, Recruitment and Placement Service License agencies, and Indian Missions.