Several Indian Navy warships have moved into the Gulf of Oman and remain on high alert near the Persian Gulf. Reportedly three warships are actively deployed to provide armed escorts and monitoring for Indian-flagged merchant vessels. This deployment is a part of Operation Sankalp to secure energy shipments transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The situation in West Asia has intensified, making naval protection necessary for commercial shipping bound for India.
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Which vessels are getting protection right now?
Under this security cover, the Indian Navy successfully escorted two major shipments in the last 24 hours. The LPG Tanker Shivalik exited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and is expected to reach Mundra Port by March 16. The LPG Tanker Nanda Devi also crossed the waterway safely and is scheduled to dock at Kandla Port by March 17. These ships belong to the Shipping Corporation of India and are chartered by the Indian Oil Corporation.
Together, these two vessels are carrying approximately 85,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas. The naval warships escorting them are equipped with advanced air defense systems to counter potential drone or projectile threats. This marks the first major India-bound energy shipment to pass through the Strait in nearly two weeks.
How many Indian ships and seafarers are currently monitored?
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed that multiple vessels and crew members are being tracked continuously. A 24-hour control room managed by the Directorate General of Shipping is handling the communications. Since February 28, 2026, the control room has managed 2,425 calls and 4,441 emails regarding crew safety.
| Category | Current Numbers |
|---|---|
| Indian-flagged vessels monitored | 28 |
| Indian seafarers on board | 778 |
| Vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz | 24 |
| Vessels east of the Strait of Hormuz | 4 |
What is the government doing at the diplomatic level?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held four separate conversations with Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi to secure shipping routes. On March 15, Iran’s Ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, officially stated that Tehran will ensure safe passage for India-bound vessels due to the longstanding friendship between the two countries.
The Ministry of External Affairs has called for freedom of navigation and advised Indian ships to follow enhanced security protocols. Official rules for Indian ships now include mandatory crew detail reporting to the DGS before entering sensitive zones.
