NEW DELHI: A group of 13 Indian seafarers is trapped aboard a commercial vessel docked at Ukraine’s Chornomorsk Port amid ongoing missile and drone strikes in the region. The maritime union has issued an urgent appeal for their evacuation, even as India raised serious concerns with Ukraine following recent casualties among Indian crew members in the Black Sea.
According to the Federation of Seafarers’ Unions of India (FSUI), the vessel, M.V. AMIR1, has 15 crew members on board, including 13 Indians, who are facing a life-threatening situation due to frequent air strikes in the port’s immediate vicinity.
‘Living Under Constant Threat’
In a post on social media platform X, the FSUI warned that the crew is living under constant fear of a direct hit.
“Indian seafarers must not be left as sitting targets in conflict zones. Act now,” the union urged, appealing to the Indian government, shipowners, and the flag state to intervene immediately and arrange for their safe return.
India Summons Ukrainian Ambassador
The trapped crew’s plight comes amid growing diplomatic friction over maritime security in the Black Sea. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Polishchuk to South Block to register strong objections regarding strikes on commercial vessels.
The MEA condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, stressing that endangering civilian shipping undermines maritime safety, freedom of navigation, and global trade. New Delhi asked the ambassador to convey its grave concerns to Kyiv, emphasizing that targeting civilian seafarers remains unacceptable.
Kyiv Blames Russian Aggression
Responding to New Delhi’s protest, the Ukrainian Embassy extended condolences over the loss of Indian lives. However, Kyiv asserted that risks to civilian shipping stem from Russian military actions in the Black Sea.
The embassy noted that Ukraine had previously alerted international bodies, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and reiterated that restoring maritime safety requires stronger global pressure on Moscow.
Mounting Casualties in Conflict Zone
The diplomatic escalation follows a series of recent strikes impacting merchant ships with Indian crew members in the Black Sea:
- MV OMORFI: Chief Officer Sagar Gupta, an Indian national, was killed during a strike on July 18.
- MV Golden Leo: Four Indian nationals were killed and one was critically injured in an attack off the Port of Odesa on July 19.
- MV AGN Ragnar: The vessel, carrying four Indian nationals, was struck at the Port of Odesa on July 25. Two crew members are confirmed safe, while search and rescue efforts remain underway for the remaining two, with the Indian Embassy monitoring the situation closely.
MEA Issues Fresh Maritime Advisory
In light of the volatile security scenario, the MEA has issued an advisory for Indian seafarers planning to join vessels operating in or transiting through the Black Sea.
The ministry advised seafarers to rigorously assess security risks before taking up contracts, verify emergency response and insurance coverage with ship operators, ensure contracts comply with international standards, confirm medical and repatriation provisions, and monitor government advisories continuously.
