Highlights:
- Over 20,000 sailors are stuck on around 2,000 ships in the Gulf
- Iran has increased control over the Strait of Hormuz area
- Many crews report food shortages and delayed wages
- Sailors say they fear attacks in a growing war zone
- Transport workers’ group calls for urgent international action
More than 20,000 sailors are stuck on ships in the Gulf as tensions rise around the Strait of Hormuz. Many vessels cannot leave the area. Crews are trapped at sea for months with limited food, water, and contact with the outside world.
Iran has increased its control over the waters around the Strait of Hormuz. It says it has authority over a wide area on both sides of the passage. This narrow strait is one of the most important shipping routes in the world. It carries a large share of global oil shipments.
The situation worsened after military strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran. Following those events, the strait was effectively closed. Since late February, thousands of ships have been unable to leave the Gulf. Many remain anchored in place, waiting for permission or safe passage.
Sailors describe difficult and stressful conditions on board. Some report running low on basic supplies. Others say they receive only limited meals each day. Fresh food and drinking water are sometimes scarce. Internet access is also weak, making it hard for crews to speak with families.
One Indian sailor, Salman Siddiqui, said life on board is filled with fear and uncertainty. He said the crew spends most of their time waiting and worrying about possible attacks. Many sailors share similar concerns as missiles and drones have been reported in the wider region.
The long delays have also created financial problems. Some sailors say their wages have not been paid for months. In some cases, monthly pay is very low, between $100 and $200. Workers also report that shipowners sometimes refuse to help them return home unless they give up unpaid wages.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation says it has received more than 2,000 requests for help from stranded sailors since the conflict began. The group says many crews face abandonment, unpaid salaries, and shortages of supplies. It warns that conditions are becoming more severe as the crisis continues.
Officials from the federation say seafarers are in a very vulnerable position because they are stuck at sea in a conflict zone. Some sailors have reportedly called for help while in distress. In several cases, they said they were left without proper food or support for long periods.
From Saudi Arabia’s port of Dammam, several large cargo ships can be seen waiting offshore. This is unusual for the port in normal conditions. A resupply vessel recently brought medical goods and supplies to some of the stranded ships. Sailors waved as supplies were winched aboard, showing rare contact with shore support.
Some ship captains have managed to stabilize their situations. One captain of a cargo vessel said his crew first heard about possible closure of the strait before the conflict escalated. Soon after, they began hearing and seeing signs of military activity in the region. He said the mood on board changed quickly from calm to silent and tense.
In some cases, shipping companies have helped replace crews or bring in relief workers. These ships have been able to rotate staff and reduce pressure on those onboard. However, many other vessels remain stuck without clear plans for crew changes or departure.
Aid and support efforts are underway in parts of the Gulf. Saudi port authorities say they have helped supply hundreds of ships with food, fuel, water, and medicine. They have also helped more than 500 sailors transfer off stranded vessels. Officials say they continue to coordinate assistance where possible.
Despite these efforts, many ships remain isolated. Sailors often rely on brief communication windows to contact families or seek help. Some say they feel forgotten and uncertain about when they will be able to return home.
Experts and labor groups warn that the crisis could continue if tensions around the Strait of Hormuz are not reduced. They say seafarers, who play a key role in global trade, are paying the price for the political and military conflict unfolding around them.
