For over 40 days, staff handling the helpline at the UK-headquartered International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) have been fielding anxious calls from marine crew members stranded in the Persian Gulf. A third of these calls pertained to difficulties faced by seafarers in returning home while others were about employee rights.
“We have also handled cases where seafarers are experiencing stress or are hesitant to enter war-zone areas,” says Chirag Bahri, ISWAN’s international operations manager.
As the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflagration has left the Strait of Hormuz, a vital trade lane, blockaded for more than a month, the maritime world is grappling with the human cost. Since February 28, when the war broke out, more than 20 merchant vessels have been attacked, leading to loss of lives and damage to maritime assets. More than 800 vessels, carrying 20,000-plus seafarers, are stuck in the region till date.
Welfare groups like ISWAN and shipping companies are helping the stranded seafarers navigate the choppy waters to the extent possible. While ISWAN is sensitising the crew on rationing food and essentials, the shipping firms have activated their contingency plans.
“Our vessels are operating under enhanced safety and security procedures, consistent with company protocol and current industry guidance. We have also enhanced connectivity on board to support crew in staying connected with their families, and our crew welfare teams remain available to both seafarers and their loved ones during this period,” says global ship management company Synergy Marine Group.
Mitsui OSK Lines says it has established a 24/7 support system, and remains in constant contact with its stranded vessels and crew to ensure their wellbeing.
Hapag Lloyd, which has six container vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf, has established a crisis taskforce to coordinate with its seafarers as well as customers. Asked about onboard protocols in a war zone, Hapag Lloyd responded that the situation calls for heightened caution and close coordination between ship and shore. “Communication with crews is absolutely key in this context. Crews are being closely informed about how the company assesses the situation and how decisions are made. Many decisions currently have to be taken day by day, depending on how the situation develops. From an operational point of view, life on board is being managed as steadily and reliably as possible,” says a spokesperson of the German container line.
Bonuses for seafarers
On March 5, the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Strait of Hormuz were designated as a Warlike Operations Area (WOA) by the International Bargaining Forum (IBF). Set up in 2003 by the International Maritime Employers’ Council (representing 330 shipping companies) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation, the IBF negotiates global employment standards for seafarers. Ship owners from Japan, Korea and Taiwan, too, are part of the forum.
Maritime workers operating in WOA are entitled to salary bonuses, apart from other benefits, including the right to refuse to sail into the area, paid repatriation and severance compensation for the unserved portion of the contract.
Repatriation challenges
However, in reality, the repatriation of seafarers from the Persian Gulf has faced hurdles with the temporary suspension of flights and the harbour boat services needed to transport crew from anchorage to shore. Those stranded at Iranian ports are particularly impacted. Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) has called for their urgent evacuation. According to the union, there are Indian seafarers stranded on 40 vessels in Iranian ports.
“We have already lost three Indian lives, with one more missing. Our foremost concern is the safe evacuation of seafarers before hostilities resume, which may occur without warning,” FSUI General Secretary Manoj Yadav said in a letter to the International Maritime Organisation on April 14.
As of April 18, the Directorate General of Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of over 2,487 Indian seafarers from the Gulf region. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said it has put in place measures to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region. A 24/7 control room has been set up for emergency response.
“All IMEC (International Maritime Employers’ Council) members are obliged to grant enhanced compensation/ protection,” its CEO Francesco Gargiulo says. He estimates that around 500 vessels operating in the Persian Gulf area are covered by IBF agreements, but an exact figure is not available as it has not been disclosed by member companies.
“We have a number of members that have manning offices in India and utilise a huge number of Indian seafarers. These seafarers will benefit from the March 5 designation and of subsequent improvements to that,” Gargiulo added.
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Published on April 20, 2026