Seafarers hold silent protest in Visakhapatnam against killings in war zones
The protest comes against the backdrop of a mounting toll among Indian seafarers since the outbreak of hostilities involving Iran, Israel and the United States on February 28, 2026
The Merchant Navy Officers Welfare Association (MNOWA) in Visakhapatnam conducted a silent protest on August 9, 2026, in opposition to the killings of seafarers in war zones. Around 40 merchant navy seafarers participated in the protest, expressing solidarity with those who lost their lives and their families. The protest, led by MNOWA president Kali Prasad, highlighted the risks faced by merchant navy seafarers, who are civilian personnel working away from their families and are not combatants.
The association called for fair compensation and support for the families of deceased seafarers, urging shipowners and operators to conduct thorough risk assessments before deploying vessels and crew in high-risk areas. The protest comes amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has led to a significant number of Indian seafarers being killed in recent months.
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