Amid rising tensions in the Middle East near the Strait of Hormuz, merchant vessels and their crews find themselves in a perilous situation. According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre, thirteen ships have been targeted in the strait since the commencement of the U.S. and Israel conflict with Iran on February 28, resulting in at least seven fatalities among the crew members.
Phillip Belcher, the marine director at Intertanko, a global organization representing approximately 200 tanker owners, described the current situation as the most hazardous globally. Seafarers are living in fear as they witness missiles flying overhead, uncertain if their own vessel will be the next target, with no protection available to them.
With Iran threatening to block oil exports passing through the Strait of Hormuz during the conflict, maritime traffic has significantly decreased. The UN estimates that around 151 ships transited the strait daily in February, a number reduced to merely four on Saturday, effectively halting a crucial maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf to the open sea.
To mitigate the risk of being targeted, reports suggest that some vessels are altering their tracking data to appear associated with China or disabling their automatic identification system transponders. However, navigating through the narrow 32-kilometer wide strait under Iranian surveillance makes it nearly impossible to pass undetected, as highlighted by Belcher.
For nearly two weeks, hundreds of ships have been stuck in the Persian Gulf, impacting about 20,000 seafarers, as reported by the International Maritime Organization. The situation is not limited to oil tankers but also affects cargo ships carrying various goods. Companies like Hapag-Lloyd are grappling with the challenge of planning safe passages for their vessels amid heightened risks and escalating insurance rates.
Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal of naval escorts for safe passage through the strait, skepticism looms as naval ships are considered vulnerable targets in the current conditions. Additionally, concerns arise over potential sea mine threats, a tactic Iran has reportedly considered deploying, posing a significant danger to maritime trade in the region.
The ongoing hostilities have taken a toll on the ship workers, who endure prolonged periods at sea and are now stranded in the Persian Gulf. Jacqueline Smith from the International Transport Workers’ Federation voiced concerns about seafarers being exploited by shipowners for profit gains, emphasizing the need for a resolution to restore normalcy and ensure the safety and well-being of maritime workers.