<p>The Centre on Wednesday said that as many as 28 Indian vessels with 778 seafarers onboard are stuck in the Persian Gulf amid conflict in West Asia.</p><p>Of these, 24 vessels are on the western part of the Strait of Hormuz with 677 seafarers, while 4 vessels with 101 persons are on the eastern side, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said in a media briefing.</p>.Iran cannot participate in FIFA World Cup, minister says.<p>Insisting that the government is monitoring all the vessels actively for their safety and security, he said the Shipping Ministry is in touch with various agencies to ensure safety and render medical assistance to them.</p><p>Regular interaction with industry and stakeholders is being undertaken to provide all assistance to the industry and seafarers.</p><p>Sinha further said that port operations across India remain stable. Major ports have implemented operational measures, including continuous monitoring of vessel movement in coordination with shipping lines and vessel agents, real-time assessment of developments in the region, and regular reporting of vessels and cargo status</p><p>He said the Director General of Shipping is also maintaining contact with ship owners, operators, and assemblies of the seafarers to provide timely updates and necessary assistance. Ports have been directed to extend all necessary assistance to minimise hardships faced by exporters and ensure continuity of EXIM trade.</p><p>Meanwhile, integrated shipping and logistics company Maersk has decided to levy a temporary emergency bunker surcharge on new cargo bookings to ensure the cross-border movement of essential items amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia. However, the surcharge is subject to regulatory approvals and will apply globally, including India, without exception from March 25, a company official said.</p>
<p>The Centre on Wednesday said that as many as 28 Indian vessels with 778 seafarers onboard are stuck in the Persian Gulf amid conflict in West Asia.</p><p>Of these, 24 vessels are on the western part of the Strait of Hormuz with 677 seafarers, while 4 vessels with 101 persons are on the eastern side, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said in a media briefing.</p>.Iran cannot participate in FIFA World Cup, minister says.<p>Insisting that the government is monitoring all the vessels actively for their safety and security, he said the Shipping Ministry is in touch with various agencies to ensure safety and render medical assistance to them.</p><p>Regular interaction with industry and stakeholders is being undertaken to provide all assistance to the industry and seafarers.</p><p>Sinha further said that port operations across India remain stable. Major ports have implemented operational measures, including continuous monitoring of vessel movement in coordination with shipping lines and vessel agents, real-time assessment of developments in the region, and regular reporting of vessels and cargo status</p><p>He said the Director General of Shipping is also maintaining contact with ship owners, operators, and assemblies of the seafarers to provide timely updates and necessary assistance. Ports have been directed to extend all necessary assistance to minimise hardships faced by exporters and ensure continuity of EXIM trade.</p><p>Meanwhile, integrated shipping and logistics company Maersk has decided to levy a temporary emergency bunker surcharge on new cargo bookings to ensure the cross-border movement of essential items amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia. However, the surcharge is subject to regulatory approvals and will apply globally, including India, without exception from March 25, a company official said.</p>
