Thousands of Indian seafarers remain stranded in Persian Gulf following Iranian blockade of Strait of Hormuz

Thousands of Indian seafarers and dozens of ships are trapped in the Persian Gulf as Iran blocks the Strait of Hormuz following strikes by US and Israeli forces.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 7:52 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from NDTV Profit

Maritime Crisis and Personnel Impact

The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has resulted in a severe maritime crisis, leaving approximately 23,000 Indian sailors stranded near the Strait of Hormuz. This situation emerged following a series of strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile programs. In response to these military actions, Iran has implemented a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor responsible for a significant portion of global oil flows, effectively trapping merchant vessels within the Persian Gulf.

Status of Trapped Vessels

Current reports indicate that 36 Indian flagged ships are currently unable to exit the Persian Gulf due to the blockade. These vessels are primarily transporting essential commodities, including crude oil, liquid petroleum gas, and various commercial cargoes. Seven of the affected ships are operated by the government run Shipping Corporation of India. The backlog of vessels has contributed to a sharp increase in global crude prices as the flow of energy exports remains restricted by the closure of the strategic waterway.

Casualties and Security Risks

The volatility of the region has already resulted in fatalities among the merchant seafaring community. Two Indian nationals, identified as Ashish Kumar and Dalip Singh, were killed during strikes on the Palau flagged oil tanker Skylight in the Gulf of Oman. Currently, 1,074 Indian personnel are confirmed to be on board the 36 ships stuck in the immediate vicinity of the conflict. Twelve of these vessels have been positioned east of the Strait of Hormuz, while the remaining 24 are located to the west of the passage.