Day-one operations under the India-UK CETA saw over $140 million in duty-free consignments, encompassing electronics, pharmaceuticals, marine goods, and gems, flagged off across more than 20 Indian ports and airports. To protect domestic industries, the agreement incorporates specific safeguards, such as preferential procurement thresholds for Indian MSMEs and strict exclusions in strategic sectors. However, maritime security challenges remain heightened due to recurring attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. These security threats have directly impacted seafarer recruitment, inflated war-risk insurance premiums for shipowners, and stalled global vessel sales as maritime operators adopt a cautious wait-and-watch approach.