Seafarers trapped in crisis as conditions in the Hormuz deteriorate

May 9 ------ WSJ explores how one man responds to daily distress calls from sailors trapped by the Iran war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as more than 20,000 seafarers remain stranded at sea facing food shortages, unpaid wages, and growing fears for their safety.

Union representative Mohamed Arrachedi, the regional coordinator for the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), reveals in a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report that he receives dozens of distress calls and messages each day from sailors across the Persian Gulf.

Some seafarers report months without pay, while others are running low on essential supplies. So far, Arrachedi’s team has handled more than 2,000 requests for assistance, as conditions in the region continue to deteriorate. “There is absolutely no precedent for what is happening now,” he said, noting the worsening situation. "These are workers, and it’s really, really affecting, because at the end of the day, it is a seafarer with name, with nationality, with a family behind him, and you cannot deal with it as a file, as a case, as a number," Arrachedi said.

He further explains, these seafarers are effectively trapped in the area; they did not choose to remain there. “On a daily basis, I receive as many as 60 to 70 WhatsApp messages. At the beginning of the war, most of the cases were requests for repatriation, but after eight weeks, more and more began to involve shortages of food, provisions, water, and fuel.”

Many of the messages are also accompanied by videos and photos showing nearby bombings, with crew members expressing fear for their safety.

Since the Strait of Hormuz has become one of the world’s most dangerous maritime zones, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) have designated it, along with the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, as a Warlike Operations Area following a review by the IBF Warlike Operations Area Committee on 5 March. The ITF has called for the immediate release of detained vessels and seafarers, an end to attacks on commercial shipping, and full adherence to international law to protect maritime workers.

Daily life for those at sea has become marked by exhaustion, uncertainty, and psychological strain. In addition to fears of attack, many seafarers remain uncertain about when they will be able to return home. Mental health concerns have grown significantly, with reports indicating that prolonged exposure to high-risk conditions, limited mobility, and constant insecurity are taking a serious toll.

In addition, the latest Seafarers Happiness Index from The Mission to Seafarers reflects this decline, with the overall score falling to 7.18 in Q1 2026 from 7.26 in the previous quarter, reversing earlier signs of stabilization following the outbreak of conflict in the Persian Gulf.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO), led by Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, has stated it is working with member states and partners on an evacuation plan for seafarers that can be implemented once conditions allow. The plan includes identifying affected vessels and prioritizing them based on humanitarian needs, as well as using the internationally recognized Traffic Separation Scheme as a potential evacuation corridor once safety guarantees are in place.

However, ongoing restrictions have left ships effectively stranded. In some cases, crews who were preparing to return home after completing months at sea have been unable to leave due to orders preventing entry to or exit from the region.

Witnesses have described a highly tense and unpredictable environment, including sightings of missile interceptions at night and fears of debris falling onto vessels, further heightening anxiety among those onboard.

Source: safety4sea.com