The External Affairs Ministry on Sunday issued an advisory urging Indian nationals intending to undertake employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the Black Sea region to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments.
The advisory stated that those who choose to undertake such employment should exercise the utmost caution.The security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict.
The advisory came days after five Indians were killed in attacks on two commercial vessels in the Black Sea region in the last one week. "Indian nationals intending to undertake employment on commercial vessels operating in or transiting the conflict-affected region are advised to carefully assess the prevailing security risks before accepting such assignments," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks. Since April this year, 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.
In its advisory, the Ministry urged Indian nationals to obtain comprehensive information from employers or recruitment agencies and ship operators regarding the vessel’s intended route, ports of call, security arrangements, insurance coverage, and emergency response procedures.They have been asked to ensure that the terms of employment comply with applicable international maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in the event of an emergency.They should keep family members informed of their itinerary and maintain regular contact.
Indian nationals have been asked to regularly monitor and comply with advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration and other relevant government authorities, as well as safety instructions issued by vessel operators and the competent maritime authorities.
Indian nationals requiring consular assistance should contact the Embassy of India or consulates in the region. The emergency contact number of the Embassy of India in Russia is +7 9652773414 and the emergency contact number for the Embassy of India in Ukraine is +38 0933559958. It appealed to those Indians seeking employment to obtain "comprehensive 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."
"Ensure that the terms of employment comply with applicable international maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation, and compensation in the event of an emergency," the MEA said. It also asked those Indians to keep their family members informed of itinerary and maintain regular contact.
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