Approximately 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the Gulf region due to the conflict, according to the International Maritime Organization. The Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman were classified as a 'war operations zone' by the maritime sector on Thursday, according to multiple reports. Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed, with an estimated 90% decrease from the usual flow, reports indicate.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key passage in the global economy, through which the Middle East exports oil products and a portion of the world's primary aluminum production, multiple reports note. Seven incidents involving vessels have been recorded in the zone since the start of strikes against Iran, according to reports. Eight French ships are blocked in the Red Sea, French Transport Minister Philippe Tabarot said.
You can try to minimize the impact that this situation has on your mental health but it's becoming impossible.
Between 50 and 55 French-flagged or French-owned ships are blocked in the Persian Gulf, according to multiple reports. France is trying to get more countries to join a coalition to protect ships in the region, Tabarot confirmed. At least six cruise ships are captive in the zone, reports indicate.
MSC Cruises intends to charter five flights to repatriate 1,000 passengers from the MSC Euribia, according to the company. Celestyal has ended its winter season in the Gulf by canceling four cruises, the company said. Since the start of the conflict, the International Transport Workers' Federation has received about 1,000 inquiries from seafarers on 300 different vessels, according to the ITF.
We're at anchor, near dozens of loaded tankers. No one has moved an inch.
About 20% of ITF inquiries were from seafarers seeking repatriation, the federation reported. According to The Guardian, one seafarer described giving notice one month ago and being unwilling to sail through the Strait of Hormuz due to safety concerns. About 90% of the crew on the same tanker want to exercise their right to refuse to sail, the seafarer told The Guardian.
One crew member has suffered a mental breakdown due to the stress of the situation, according to The Guardian's reporting. The seafarer called a helpline for the first time after the recent attack on Kuwait's Al-Salmi oil tanker, The Guardian reported. International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated that the situation is unacceptable and unsustainable, emphasizing the need to protect seafarers' rights and maintain freedom of navigation.
I gave my notice exactly one month ago. I've informed the master, I'm not willing to sail through the strait. It's about safety, it's all about safety.
The timeline or conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to normal traffic are uncertain.
I've no doubt that this particular issue, this mental breakdown, is happening [on tankers] all around us from the stress of this situation. Seafarer support [phone] lines are trying to help, but from the beginning we have all known that it would not be enough.
I was a bit overwhelmed and I wasn't sure if I could handle how I was feeling. It's important to me that others don't see me cry. It did help, just to vent out all the feelings to a stranger.
This is unacceptable and unsustainable. It is important that all parties take responsibility to protect seafarers' rights and well-being, as well as maintain freedom of navigation in accordance with international law.