Protecting Global Seafarers
India and Liberia Launch U.N. Group to Protect Seafarers Amid Rising Attacks
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Jaishankar said international trade exceeds $140 billion a day, with oceans supporting more than 80% of that activity; nearly two million seafarers work in the world’s merchant fleets.
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The new group brings together major ship-owning states, countries with large ship registries and countries that provide many seafarers, according to Jaishankar.
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Jaishankar said international and regional frameworks already exist to protect seafarers’ rights, but stronger international cooperation is still needed; he noted that seafarers often have a different nationality from the vessel’s flag state.
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Jaishankar also highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed P4M initiative, intended to provide greater emergency support to seafarers.
India and Liberia launched a new maritime safety group at the United Nations to combat repeated attacks on commercial shipping. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar condemned the strikes across the Gulf, Red Sea, and Black Sea, calling them simply indefensible, and said stronger international cooperation is needed to protect seafarers and global trade according to New Indian Express.
The attacks have killed Indian crew members, including incidents on the MV Cape Dao in the Gulf of Oman and the tanker El Gaia in the Strait of Hormuz. Jaishankar noted that international trade exceeds $140 billion daily, with oceans supporting more than 80% of that activity and nearly two million seafarers working in merchant fleets according to India Today.
A New Coalition Against Maritime Attacks
The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers brings together major ship-owning states, countries with large ship registries, and nations that supply many seafarers according to CNBC-TV18. India and Liberia serve as co-chairs of the initiative, which was announced at the U.N. General Assembly per DD India.
Seafarers Face Death, Confinement, and Separation
The repeated attacks threaten not only lives but also crew wellbeing. Seafarers face prolonged confinement, delayed repatriation, and long separations from their families according to Tribune India. Jaishankar emphasized that seafarers often have a different nationality from the vessel's flag state, complicating their protection under international law.
Existing Frameworks Fall Short of the Challenge
International and regional frameworks already exist to protect seafarers' rights, but Jaishankar said they are insufficient. Stronger international cooperation and enforcement are needed to deter attackers and hold them accountable according to New Indian Express. The gap between existing rules and actual protection remains a critical problem.
Modi's P4M Initiative Aims to Support Seafarers in Crisis
Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed the P4M initiative to provide greater emergency support to seafarers in distress. The program is designed to fill gaps left by existing maritime safety frameworks according to India Today. The initiative signals India's commitment to protecting its seafaring workforce and global maritime workers.
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