MEA advisory urges Indian seafarers to assess security risks before taking jobs in Black Sea region

Published 26 July 2026 · india

A day after another cargo vessel carrying Indian crew was attacked in the Ukrainian port of Odesa, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday

A day after another cargo vessel carrying Indian crew was attacked in the Ukrainian port of Odesa, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday (July 26, 2026) issued an advisory urging Indian seafarers to “carefully assess security risks” before accepting jobs on commercial ships that operate “in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas”, citing increasing drone and missile attacks on ships in the region. Also read | Indian embassy in Ukraine ‘closely monitoring’ situation after vessel with four Indians struck at Ukraine’s Odessa port; two safe, fate of two awaited Earlier, the Indian Embassy in Ukraine said that it was “closely monitoring” the situation after a projectile hit the MV AGN Ragnar in the Black Sea port on Saturday (July 25, 2026). The ship employed four Indian seafarers, of whom two have been found to be safe while information about the other two is still awaited. “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 MEA said in its advisory, explaining that “the security situation in and around the Black Sea and adjoining maritime areas remains highly volatile due to the ongoing conflict.

Commercial vessels operating in or transiting these waters are facing significant security risks, including missile and drone attacks.” ‘Take precautions’ There has been an increase in the number of such incidents since April, resulting in the deaths of five Indian seafarers, the Ministry said. The MEA urged Indian citizens to follow a set of precautions, such as obtaining “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”. The “terms of employment” should “comply with applicable maritime standards and provide adequate provisions for medical care, evacuation, repatriation and compensation in the event of an emergency,” the Ministry said. Indian seafarers were urged to follow all the advisories issued by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, including one issued on July 23. Search and rescue underway The advisory came a day after the MV AGN Ragnar was struck at the port of Odesa. “Four Indian nationals were on board the vessel. As per the latest information, two have been confirmed safe, and information is awaited regarding the other two nationals.