"Rights of seafarers must not be lost in the fog of Iran war" 11 March 2026
Right now, tens of thousands of seafarers are stranded on ships of all kinds in and around the Middle East Gulf...Vessels have been attacked, crews are in crisis mode, and just in the last week, many seafarers have been killed...The shipping industry’s response to the situation has been swift, including expert guidance, clear communication and rerouting vessels...Yet there are still fundamental gaps in the broader systems which should ensure seafarers’ well-being...IMO chief condemns deadly Strait of Hormuz tug attack..
During the Covid-19 pandemic, hundreds of thousands of seafarers were stranded at sea beyond their contracts, unable to return home...A global emergency gave rise to one at sea, with seafarers denied their basic rights under the Maritime Labour Convention...As warfare and conflict touch more and more seafarers’ lives, issues with their safety are widespread...Generic counter-threat training, much of it based on avoiding pirates, does not prepare seafarers for the risks of missiles and suicide drones...Sustained fear from operating in high-risk areas such as the Black Sea or the Gulf of Aden leads to trauma, but occupational health provisions struggle to deal with this kind of stress...Commercial considerations are ever-present. War risk surcharges, rerouting and port restrictions create operational pressures that can undermine seafarers’ welfare protections...In practice, this is rarely straightforward...
Sadly, despite being responsible for some 90% of global trade, seafarers are being exposed to unacceptable risks...Welfare organisations are increasingly expected to fill the gap, providing emergency assistance and support on the front line...
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