Bloomberg reported on July 3, citing the International Maritime Organization (IMO), that at one point during the conflict, nearly 11,000 non-regional seafarers were trapped in the Persian Gulf.
The IMO managed to evacuate 136 vessels and approximately 2,900 crew members through a short-term evacuation plan. However, after a vessel was attacked while transiting the Strait at the end of last month, the evacuation procedures were halted. Currently, around 8,000 seafarers remain in the Gulf region.
The primary reason seafarers cannot leave immediately is safety concerns. Although the number of vessels passing through the Strait has increased since the ceasefire, traffic levels remain significantly below pre-war figures. Iran has stated it intends to maintain control over the Strait during peace negotiations with the U.S. The shipping industry is worried that the value of cargo, insurance coverage, and the willingness of shipowners to accept risks vary by vessel, affecting the safety of passage.
Staffing shortages are also a significant hurdle. With the war lasting over four months, many seafarers have reached the end of their contracts, but finding new crew willing to enter a high-risk area has proven difficult. Major seafarer-sending countries like the Philippines have temporarily restricted deployments to the Persian Gulf, and some Gulf nations, including Iraq and Kuwait, have suspended short-term visa issuance due to deteriorating security conditions.
Vessel movements themselves take time. Ships that have been docked for extended periods require inspections of their hulls and equipment, as well as fuel resupply plans. Crews must also train for response procedures in case they encounter Iranian interference while transiting. Ongoing GPS disruptions have forced some seafarers to visually confirm the positions of nearby vessels and landmarks.
Seafarers have been waiting at sea for months. Abhijit Chofra, captain of an oil tanker, has been in the Persian Gulf with his 21 crew members for over 120 days since the war began in late February. He said, "I heard the news of the ceasefire, but I saw that nearby vessels were not moving immediately. I had to be cautiously optimistic." However, reports of further attacks on tankers have left them in a situation where they must wait longer.
The war has posed direct threats to the lives of seafarers. In March, the tanker 'Safe Sea Vishnu' was engulfed in flames after being attacked by a drone, resulting in the death of one crew member. Meanwhile, crew members aboard a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier docked at Qatar's Ras Laffan facility managed to leave the port just before an Iranian missile strike.
Experts point out that this situation highlights the vulnerabilities in international shipping. More than 80% of global goods rely on maritime transport, yet many seafarers come from Asian countries like the Philippines and India. The ownership, registration, and operational structures of vessels are complex and dispersed, making it difficult to ensure the protection of seafarers' rights and safety measures during crises.
While the ceasefire agreement marks a first step toward resuming shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, it has yet to provide a clear signal of safe return for seafarers. Unless issues surrounding safety guarantees, crew changes, and insurance are resolved, the wait for seafarers trapped in the Persian Gulf is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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